Chapter 16 - Indigenous ecotourism: conservation and resource rights

Abstract

This chapter addresses critical issues for Indigenous-owned and operated ecotourism ventures that benefit Indigenous communities and conserve the natural and cultural environment. The spread of ecotourism into remote areas often coincides with regions of high biological and scenic value that are still the traditional homelands for surviving groups of Indigenous peoples. Ecotourism enterprises controlled by Indigenous people include cultural ecotours, ecolodges, wildlife safaris, hunting and fishing tours, cultural villages and other nature-based tourist facilities or services. Indigenous ecotourism is defined as nature-based attractions or tours owned by Indigenous people, and also Indigenous interpretation of the natural and cultural environment including wildlife' (Zeppel, 2003, p. 56). Indigenous ecotourism provides an alternative to extractive land uses such as hunting, farming, logging or mining, and it involves Indigenous people in managing tourism, culture and use of natural resources. Ecotourism supplements a subsistence lifestyle and aids the transition to a cash economy for many tribal groups. How various Indigenous communities develop and operate tribal ecotourism enterprises or joint ventures is a key focus of much recent research in this area. This chapter discusses key factors and constraints for sustainable development of Indigenous ecotourism and explores the growing links between biodiversity conservation, ecotourism and Indigenous land rights. Indigenous cultural perspectives about ecotourism, conflicts between hunting and ecotourism and key challenges for community-based ecotourism are discussed. The role of environmental non-government agencies (NGOs), ecotourism associations and government agencies in developing Indigenous ecotourism is also examined.