Harmonisation 3.1 - Ecotourism

Ecotourism is a form of nature-based tourism that is often used as a front for conservation of biodiversity around the world. However, there is much debate among the literature as to whether ecotourism is sustainable or not. Does it conserve biodiversity while providing a local economy or is it just a front to entice well-meaning travellers and take their money? 

Ecotourism allows places like this to be experienced while keeping
it in pristine condition. Taken from: http://www.virginisles.com/ecotourism.php

Krüger (2005) carried out a meta-analysis of 188 cases of ecotourism to see how ecologically sustainable it is. He found that 63% of ecotourism cases were sustainable, but mentions that this may well be an overstatement due to biases in the literature. All the same, this number still bring to light that not all ecotourism is doing its job. Krüger (2005) finds that certain countries and areas are more susceptible to unsustainable ecotourism than others. For instance, Africa and Asia have less sustainable ecotourism than in other cases and mountain or island destinations appear to attract unsustainable ecotourism too.

Wells (1992)  suggests that the five main limits to ecotourism are: absence of spectacular or readily visible natural features, lack of infrastructure, ineffective marketing, difficulties in access and political instability. This first is observed in Krügers (2005) paper since ecotourism cases with a flagship species tend to be more sustainable than those without. A flagship species provides a face to an ecotourism project; animals such as the lion are great as flagship species because they are of universal interest and in need of conservation. Porini in Kenya is one such company that use the lion as a front for their safaris. However, from what I can see there is a general lack of integration that educates tourists about the conservation and rather the money from the company is used in the conservation. While the money may be going to where it is needed, I think it is important for the tourists to be aware of how they are helping conserve the area they have come to see. The other limits suggested by Wells (1992) may provide valid reasons for the unsustainability of some ecotourism cases with lack of infrastructure and political instability being common in both Africa and Asia. Mountains and islands also tend to lack infrastructure and have difficulties in access. Island ecosystems often have very delicate ecosystems which may make ecotourism less viable as a means of funding conservation. 

Tigers are another fantastic flagship species. Big rare mammals, birds and
fish tend to make the best flagship species. Taken from: sopan-step.blogspot.co.uk

All in all it seems that ecotourism could aid conservation in some areas but not all. Regardless, ecotourism is happening all over the world and something needs to be done to make sure that it happens sustainably.  TheInternational Ecotourism Society is a non-profit society committed to making ecotourism sustainable.  They provide guidelines and standards, training, technical assistance, and educational resources which enable any ecotourism project to be carried out in a sustainable way. Currently their work is contributing to ecotourism in 120 countries world-wide, but let’s increase this by advertising their cause!