Abstract
Ecotourism is growing niche market with the potential of being sustainable development tool in protected areas. Ecotourism development needs preliminary assessment of the destination resources. This study was done with the objective of assessing ecotourism potential of Maze National Park for ecotourism development. The study used survey research design. Structured questionnaires and structured key informant interviews were used to collect data. Target population of the study was tourism experts. Samples are selected purposefully to gather genuine information from relevant respondents. The result showed that Maze National Park has high ecotourism potential in terms of its natural features, but it has moderate potential regarding provision of site infrastructure and human resource features. The local community residing in the vicinity of the national park has low potential of tangible cultural features but possesses various intangible cultural features which can attract tourists. Hence, the national park has good potential for ecotourism development. Key words: Ecotourism, Protected Area, Maze National Park, Ethiopia
Highlights
Ecotourism is one of the most contested subjects in Tourism literatures
Survey research design was used to assess resource potential of Maze National Park for ecotourism development, because it describes the state of affair as it exists at present (Kothari, 2004)
Ecotourism potential of Maze National Park is assessed based on natural resource features, cultural features, physical infrastructure and human resource features
Summary
Ecotourism is one of the most contested subjects in Tourism literatures. It is an object of intense scrutiny, debate and controversy (Weaver, 1998). The major drive for the creation of ecotourism concept was the growing concerns about the negative environmental and socio-economic effects of tourism development (EGA, 2008). It was developed as an alternative to preservationist approaches to park management that had marginalized local communities and fueled conflicts (Honey, 2008). GarcíaHerrera (2011) stated that the existence of ecotourism derive is originated from a tourism demand of approaching nature, and from its active use as a conservation tool in protected areas, since it implies obtaining certain benefits for the conservation of the protected areas
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
