Defining Ecotourism in New Zealand: Differentiating Between the Defining Parameters within a National/Regional Context

Abstract

The merits of different definitions of ecotourism and, indeed, the need to actually define ecotourism, have been widely debated (Fennell, 1999; 2001). From this debate emerges the requirement that definitions account for the differing environmental, social, economic, and cultural contexts of ecotourism, and diverse political contexts established through relevant national/local government policy. This paper critically considers the relevance of different definitions drawn from the international literature on ecotourism against the context for ecotourism in New Zealand. Eighteen criteria most commonly used for defining ecotourism are identified and then assessed. These criteria are organised into three categories reflecting that, while some apply widely others demonstrate varying degrees of relevance to ecotourism in New Zealand. This exercise confirms the importance of weighting and in some cases rejecting defining parameters of ecotourism, as determined by the national or regional context within which ecotourism takes place.