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UNDERSTANDING AND INTERPRETING ECOTOURISM Dr. S.C. Bagri Dean School of Tourism and Management & Director of Centre for Mountain Tourism and Hospitality Studies (CMTHS) HNB Garhwal University (A Central University) Srinagar Garhwal-246174 India E-mail: prof.bagri@gmail.com Mobile: #91-9412079836
Any tourism programme is Ecotourism that is : • Nature based • Ecologically sustainable • Education and interpretation is a major component • Local people are benefited
What is Ecotourism: Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the welfare of local people. • Ecotourism is frequently lumped together with nature tourism and other forms of 'experiential' or 'alternative' tourism.
Is it useful for host economy? • In Dominica, in the Caribbean, "stay over" spent 18 times more than cruise passengers spend while visiting the Island. • In Komodo National Park in Indonesia, independent travelers spend nearly US$100 locally per visit; package holidaymakers spend only half this., cruise-ship arrivals spend an average three cents in the local' economy.
80% of money for all-inclusive package tours goes to airlines, hotels, and other international companies whereas in ecotourism 95% of money goes to the local economy. • The daily expenditure of ecotourist (over US$90) is higher than visitors on a touring holiday (US$67), beach holiday (US$62), city break (US$54) or rural trip.
Ecotourist, differs greatly in several aspects • Distance travelled • Length of stay • Desired level of physical effort and comfort • Importance of nature in trip motivation • Level of learning desired • Amount of’ spending • Desired activities
Ecotourism Development Process • It involves local community • It minimizes likely conflicts between resource users &local inhabitants • Ecotourism development should be compatible with the environment • It should be planned as a part of the overall area development strategy
Ecotourism Demand: More than two-thirds of U.S. and Australian travelers, and 90% of British tourists demand for active protection of the environment and support of local communities while visiting ecotourism destinations.
Profile of Ecotourism in Europe • Experienced travelers • Higher educated • Higher income bracket • Age: middle-age to elderly • Opinion leaders • Ask & tell their friends & colleagues about trip • Are the most important source of trip information
In a U.K. survey, 87% of travelers said their holiday should not damage the environment; 39% said they were prepared to pay 5% extra for ethical guarantees. • 53% of American travelers say their travel experience is enhanced when they learn as much as possible about local customs and culture. • 95% of Swiss tourists consider respect for local culture to be highly important when choosing a holiday. • Nearly a third of U.S. travelers buy specifically from companies that donate part of their products to charities.
Ecotourism Preferences of Potential Country’s Personnel Saw wildlife in its natural surroundings (Germans 27, British 39, Americans 27) Stayed in the wilderness (Germans 11, British 10, Americans 5) Visited a rainforest or jungle (Germans 7, British 10, Americans 10) Visited national parks (Germans 21, British 28, Americans 26).
Issues Related to Ecotourism? • Displacement of local people • Direct and indirect erosion of resources • Misleading promotion • Costs of establishing infrastructure • Cultural Conflicts with Natives • Better Road Access that may exacerbate resource • Destruction.
Essential elements for ecotourism in a community setting Planning Partnerships Protected Natural Areas Education & Training Community Ecotourism Financing Other Sustainable Activities Sustainable Development
ECOTOURISM AS AN OPPORTUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CULTURAL EXCHANGE BIODIVERSITY MAINTENANCE/ IMPROVEMENT PROTECTED AREA JUSTIFICATION TOURISM VISITOR APPRECIATION/ AWARENESS EMPLOYMENT REVENUE GENERATION
ECOTOURISM PARTNERSHIP NEEDED FOR SUCCESS Protected area/Site managers play afacilitation role in: Local Communities NGO Tourism Industry Government Agencies Other Supporting Player Funders Ecotourist Education Sector SUCCESSFUL ECOTOURISM
PLANNING CONTEXT OF ECOTOURISM MANAGEMENT FOR PROTECTED AREAS National conservation plan/ strategy Eco-regional planning National protected area system plan Individual protected area General management plans Specific thematic/ programmatic plans Conservatioconservation area planning (CAP) process Other plans Ecotourism management plans Annual work plans
Who participates in the planning process? Protected area staff Community participants Tour operators Specialists/ scientists Planning process Government agencies Org/NGOs Commitment & support GREAT RESULTS
Ecotourism within the conservation by design process • Setting priorities • identify targets (e.g. Priority species) • set goals for number and distribution of conservation targets • Assemble information & relevant data • Design a network of conservation area to meet goals • 4. Measuring success • Biodiversity health • Threat abatement • Success of mitigation strategy • Partner capacity • Financial management • Adjust priorities, strategies, work plan (through participation in annual budget & goal setting) Setting Priorities Measuring success Developing strategies Conservation approach • 2. Developing strategies • Conservation area planning • Stress (e.g.. Soil erosion) • Sources of Stress (e.g. tourism impacts) • Strategies • Stakeholder consultation • Success measures • - established indicators for success. • 3. Taking action • Prepare agreements with partners • Build partner capacity • Provide training, technical assistance & resources Taking action
In general, Ecotourist normally prefers to look for at least one of the following in their long-haul travel: Visiting an environmental or ecological site (Germans 47, British 49, Americans 36) Seeing wildlife in its natural habitat (Germans 73, British 62, Americans 43) Walking in untouched countryside and natural environments (Germans 79, British 65, Americans 38).
Institutional Agency • (Centre for Mountain Tourism and Hospitality Studies, HNB Garhwal Central University, India) Project Assessment THDC Ltd. • Formation of Co-operative Society • Self-Help Kutumbshree Tourism Kutumbshree Tourism Kutumbshree Training Financial • Groups Development committee Marketing and Promotion Cell and Development Cell Body Instutitutigramme of Capacity Building Programme on Ecotourism: Stakeholders Involvement Joint Management of Kutumbshree Tourism Development Bodies across the region
Programme cum Project Director, CMTHS, HNB Garhwal Central University, India. Project Formulation Rural Tourism Plans for Sustainable Livelihood for the Villagers Project evaluation by THDC Ltd. Coordination Assessment Analysis Project Monitoring Project Implementation Action Development Wheel and Integrated Ecotourism Framework
Mingling with the children of host is the basic principle of Ecotourism
An ideal centre for Leisure while undertaking eco activities
Kannur Kerala proposal for Ecotourism in its island • Tree Top huts • • Check dam and bathing Ghats • • Peddle boats • • Country rafts • • Small bamboo over bridges • • Counter and bamboo benches • • Destination boards for attraction • • Name boards for trees and medicinal plants • • Toilets • • Camping facility • • Development of Bird Watching Trail • • Landscaping and developing garden near information center
Potential Hub of villages for ecotourism activities in UK State