Ecotourism Industry Research Articles

Rendering land touristifiable: (eco)tourism and land use change

Critical research concerning ecotourism has revealed the activity’s socio-economic impacts, including low-wage employment-based dependencies for many rural communities. While these dynamics are important, a crucial aspect of the ecotourism industry that falls outside this conventional sort of dependency is land use dynamics, specifically land use change, sales and entrepreneurship. We examine these dynamics in Corbett Tiger Reserve, India, where promotion of (eco)tourism since the 1990s has influenced significant changes in local land use. These changes were initially facilitated by outsiders buying land and setting up hotels and resorts in villages adjoining the Reserve. Empirical research reveals that while this initial boom of outsiders buying land has waned, land owning villagers are now setting up tourism enterprises on their own land, thereby diversifying land use from agriculture to tourism. Critical agrarian research has shown that material and symbolic factors influence farmers’ decision-making regarding land use change. An agrarian studies perspective thus facilitates a nuanced understanding of tourism-related land use diversification and change. By bringing agrarian and ecotourism studies approaches together here, we contribute to both by emphasising the importance of (eco)tourism in agrarian change and of attention to land use change in ecotourism studies to understand how rural people negotiate and navigate (eco)tourism in relation to land use. We also contribute to tourism geographies more broadly by highlighting how land use decision-making shapes local spaces in the course of ecotourism development. We draw attention to the broader processes of and impacts of ecotourism that shift generational rural land use influenced by changing values of land outside a protected area. Rendering land touristifiable deepens villagers’ dependence on the market and alienates them from their land. Ecotourism commodifies nature, and we show that this commodification extends to rural land outside of ecotourism zones per se.

Locating the unique biodiversity of Balikpapan Bay as an ecotourism attraction in East Kalimantan, Indonesia

Abstract. Willard K, Aipassa MI, Sardjono MA, Rujehan, Ruslim Y, Kristiningrum R. 2022. Locating the unique biodiversity of Balikpapan Bay as an ecotourism attraction in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 23: 2342-2357. Balikpapan Bay is rich in biodiversity and natural beauty that present unique opportunities for the developing ecotourism industry in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. This study aimed to identify biodiversity hotspots with potential as ecotourism attractions. Four field surveys by boat, each survey taking between 10 to 22 hours duration, tracked the river and tidal flow through the Bay, recording highlights of biodiversity at 19 defined observation points. The study results recorded observations on five species listed in the IUCN protected species classification, namely: Lesser Adjutant Stork (Leptoptilos javanicus) - classified as a Vulnerable species; Proboscis Monkey (Nasalis larvatus), Irrawaddy Dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) and Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) - classified as Endangered species; and the Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) - classified as Critically Endangered. In addition, details were recorded of a unique variant of the mangrove species Rhizophora apiculata, with leaves that have a vibrant yellow color instead of the usual green. Combined with great views, including at night when there are enchanting displays of Fireflies (Lampyridae) on several riverbanks, the biodiversity of the waterways results in Balikpapan Bay having great potential as an ecotourism destination. Therefore, this study provides useful input to relevant agencies charged with responsibility for conserving and managing the natural resources of the Bay for the benefit of communities who stand to gain economically from developing this ecotourism potential.

Analysis of Sustainable Development of SMEs and Factors Influencing to the Ecotourism Industry

In order for companies, regardless of scale, to survive, function normally and have prospects for development in the current dynamic, competitive and business environment, partner search, outsourcing and participation of SMEs in the supply chains of multinational corporations are necessary. This is important because the process of globalization, integration, liberalization of markets has led to great business opportunities for SMEs, where financial sustainability matters.

Local Community Assessment of Ecotourism Industry

Local Community Assessment of Ecotourism Industry

Research on the Integration and Development of Ecotourism Industry and Sports Health Industry under the Background of Rural Revitalization Strategy.

With the growth of people's consumption demand and the popularization of transportation, ecotourism has gradually entered people's vision and become a fashionable choice for people's leisure. Since the reform and opening up, tourism has increasingly become a popular and popular form of consumption. It appears in people's life and has the characteristics of personalization, leisure, and diversification. Based on the understanding of the current situation of the integrated development of ecotourism and sports tourism, this paper discusses the integrated development strategy of the ecotourism industry and sports health industry. As an important content and component of rural industry, it is very necessary to promote the better development of ecotourism. It is also an important task to implement the Rural Revitalization Strategy. It has important value and significance for improving the rural industrial structure and promoting rural economic development. The purpose of this study is to promote the coordinated development of the ecotourism and sports health industry and to provide help for the stable development of tourism in the market competition environment.

Sustainable Ecotourism through Cutting-Edge Technologies

Tourism is a phenomenon that dates back to ancient times. Ancient Greek philosophers recognised, adopted, and promoted the concept of rest-based tourism. Ecotourism is a particular type of tourism that connects with activities that take place in nature, without harming it, along with the herbal and animal wealth. According to estimates, the global ecotourism industry is currently booming due to various reasons, and it is becoming an important factor of sustainable regional development. This article presents the vision, work, and outcomes of project AdVENt, a project focusing natively in sustainable ecotourism through natural science and technological innovation. AdVENt’s study area includes the National Parks of Oiti (or Oeta) and Parnassus in Central Greece, where there is a remarkable native flora with a high endemism rate integrated with areas of cultural value and national and European hiking routes and paths of varying difficulty.

The Deep Integration of China's Regional Ice-Snow Industry and Ecocultural Tourism under the Background of Beijing Winter Olympic Games: Taking Hunan as an Example.

Under the background of the promotion of the Olympic effect of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and the in-depth implementation of the national ice and snow industry's strategy of “expanding from the south to the west and expanding from the east,” China's ice and snow industry has ushered in a new period of development. By applying literature and logical analysis, etc., with in-depth analysis of various subjective and objective supplies for the integration of China's ice-snow industry and ecocultural tourism in Hunan Province, it is considered to be driven by the bidding and preparation effect of Beijing Winter Olympic Games in 2022. The supply capacity of ice-snow industry venues, professional facilities, and public services are gradually strengthened, and the soft power of construction of the ice-snow industry needs to be coordinated and improved. The problem of safety is prominent and it is urgent to build a safety prevention and emergency management of ice-snow tourism.The integration of ice-snow sports and ecotourism industry has gradually became a prototype, but the integration point, line, and surface still need to be further strengthened and expanded. Accordingly, this paper puts forward a method to realize the transformation and upgrading of the commercial operation mode of the integration of ice-snow industry and ecological culture tourism, comprehensively to improve the ecological innovation ability of ice-snow tourism public service, to create multi-industry ice-snow industry cluster area, and to construct the basic framework system of risk prevention and control and management with multisubject participation and other relevant strategies.

Capture heats up sharks.

Catch-and-release fishing is an important component of ecotourism industries and scientific research worldwide, but its total impact on animal physiology, health and survival is understudied for many species of fishes, particularly sharks. We combined biologging and blood chemistry to explore how this fisheries interaction influenced the physiology of two widely distributed, highly migratory shark species: the blue shark (Prionace glauca) and the tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier). Nineteen sharks were caught by drum line or rod-and-reel angling; subcutaneous body temperature measurements were taken immediately upon capture, with six individuals also providing subsequent subcutaneous body temperature measurements via biologging as they swam freely for several hours post-release. We found that short-term capture caused shark body temperature to increase significantly and rapidly, with increases of 0.6°C–2.7°C for blue sharks (mean, 1.2 ± 0.6°C) and 0.5°C–0.9°C for tiger sharks (mean, 0.7 ± 0.2°C) and with capture-induced heating rates of blue sharks averaging 0.3°C min−1 but as high as 0.8°C min−1. Blue shark body temperature was even higher deeper into the white muscle. These heating rates were three to eight times faster than maximum rates encountered by our biologging sharks swimming through thermally stratified waters and faster than most acute heating experiments conducted with ectotherms in laboratory experiments. Biologging data showed that body temperatures underwent gradual decline after release, returning to match water temperatures 10–40 mins post-release. Blood biochemistry showed variable lactate/glucose levels following capture; however, these concentrations were not correlated with the magnitude of body temperature increase, nor with body size or hooking time. These perturbations of the natural state could have immediate and longer-term effects on the welfare and ecology of sharks caught in catch-and-release fisheries and we encourage further study of the broader implications of this reported phenomenon.

Ecotourism Development and Biodiversity Conservation in Sri Lanka: Objectives, Conflicts and Resolutions

Biodiversity conservation and sustainably utilizing natural resources improve the benefits of ecotourism development. Ecotourism development makes values for sustainably using biodiversity creating economic development opportunities. This study reviews literature and reveals objectives, conflicts and resolutions for achieving biodiversity conservation through ecotourism development in Sri Lanka. This paper describes conservation objectives in terms of preserving and fostering biodiversity, habitat restoration and managing biodiversity, and making values for natural assets through ecotourism activities. Degradation and destruction of habitat, overexploitation and illegal extraction of species, emissions of greenhouse gasses for climate change, contamination and pollution of the environment, and spread of exotic species are identified as the main conflicts. Conservation resolutions are discussed on education and awareness-raising activities for biodiversity conservation, in-situ conservation and ex-situ preservation of species, integrating biodiversity into ecotourism development, integrating management of biodiversity and ecotourism, linking ecotourism industry and conservation organizations, ecotourism policy and legislations for biodiversity conservation, and imposition of rules and regulations. Policy solutions and building capacity among institutions and other stakeholders for governance and sustainable conservation of biodiversity are key for sustainable ecotourism development.

Domoic Acid and Pseudo-nitzschia spp. Connected to Coastal Upwelling along Coastal Inhambane Province, Mozambique: A New Area of Concern.

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are increasing globally in frequency, persistence, and geographic extent, posing a threat to ecosystem and human health. To date, no occurrences of marine phycotoxins have been recorded in Mozambique, which may be due to absence of a monitoring program and general awareness of potential threats. This study is the first documentation of neurotoxin, domoic acid (DA), produced by the diatom Pseudo-nitzschia along the east coast of Africa. Coastal Inhambane Province is a biodiversity hotspot where year-round Rhincodon typus (whale shark) sightings are among the highest globally and support an emerging ecotourism industry. Links between primary productivity and biodiversity in this area have not previously been considered or reported. During a pilot study, from January 2017 to April 2018, DA was identified year-round, peaking during Austral winter. During an intense study between May and August 2018, our research focused on identifying environmental factors influencing coastal productivity and DA concentration. Phytoplankton assemblage was diatom-dominated, with high abundances of Pseudo-nitzschia spp. Data suggest the system was influenced by nutrient pulses resulting from coastal upwelling. Continued and comprehensive monitoring along southern Mozambique would provide critical information to assess ecosystem and human health threats from marine toxins under challenges posed by global change.

Values for an Undergraduate Ecotourism Management Curriculum in South Africa: A Mixed-methods Study

ABSTRACT Ecotourism is one of the fastest growing tourism niches in South Africa. Higher education institutions offering undergraduate ecotourism management programmes are tasked with producing graduates that can promote the sustainability of the sector and should therefore direct their efforts to the fostering of appropriate behaviours; values are the underlying determinants of behaviour. Employing an exploratory sequential mixed methods design, the purpose of the study was to develop a framework for a values-based undergraduate ecotourism management curriculum. Thematic analysis of the empirical materials elicited from semi-structured interviews with 12 ecotourism managers resulted in the identification of 51 values. The values were subsequently rated by managers from the wider ecotourism industry through the administration of an e-survey (n = 101). A principal components exploratory factor analysis further reduced the values into four factors – “self”, “outward”, “reciprocation” and “betterment”. This informed the framework which ultimately serves as a reference point for educational practitioners.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN ECOTOURISM AND IMPLICATIONS ON SOCIAL IN LANGKAWI ISLAND, MALAYSIA

The ecotourism sector in Malaysia is a tourism industry that can give various impacts in various aspects such as economic, social, and environmental. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the factors and effects of local community involvement in the ecotourism industry on Langkawi Island. A total of 160 questionnaires were distributed randomly to the community around Chenang Beach and Pekan Kuah, Langkawi Island. Data obtained through questionnaires were analyzed using the software Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Among the types of data analysis used by the researcher in the effort to test the objectives of the study are such as reliability analysis, frequency analysis, and descriptive analysis. The results of this study found that the factors of local community involvement in the ecotourism industry on Langkawi Island are heavily influenced by variables such as the source of income (56.30%), employment opportunities (38.80%), poverty eradication (1.90%), and want to increase purchasing power population (3.1%). Meanwhile, the results of the analysis of the impact of local community involvement in the ecotourism industry on Langkawi Island found that most respondents chose to have an impact on social such as opening job opportunities to increase income (mean = 4.48), and be able to attract more tourists (mean = 4.55). KEYWORDS: Ecotourism, factors, effects, Langkawi Island, SPSS

Ecotourism as a Forest Conservation Tool: An NDVI Analysis of the Sitakunda Botanical Garden and Ecopark in Chattogram, Bangladesh

Ecotourism, a sustainable form of tourism, is increasingly being viewed as a tool that can promote global biodiversity and forest conservation. This study explored the scope of ecotourism in forest conservation practices in the developing context by taking the Sitakunda Botanical Garden and Ecopark (SBGE), Bangladesh’s first ecopark established in 2000, as a case study. Using GIS and remote sensing technology, NDVI analysis revealed that, unlike the anticipated outcomes of the SBGE project, after a brief increase in vegetation coverage of 84.6% from 1995 to 2000, the vegetation coverage fell drastically from 2000 to 2015, wherein 33.4% of vegetation had been completely removed, and much of the dense and medium vegetation had been converted to sparse vegetation or other land uses. Anthropogenic activities, namely, unplanned urbanization, are suggested as the major contributors to this decline. From the period of 2015 to 2020, however, vegetation was seen to regenerate, potentially due to the decelerating urbanization or the possible manifestation of the ‘U’ shape relationship between the changes in vegetation and rates of urbanization. Sustainable land-use policies may help attain the targets of the project and lead the SBGE to emerge as a success story of the Bangladeshi ecotourism industry.

Ecotourism supply chain during the COVID-19 pandemic: A real case study

The coronavirus (COVID-19) disease has caused serious and irreversible damage to the ecotourism industry, posing serious challenges to all parts of the ecotourism supply chain. The ecotourism supply chain is made up of various components, the most important of which are ecotourism centers. During these pandemic times, the primary concerns of these centers are to improve their deplorable economic conditions and retain customers for the post-coronavirus era. As a result, an investigation should be conducted to address these concerns and provide appropriate solutions to help them overcome the challenges that have emerged. To achieve the research goal, a bi-objective mathematical model for the ecotourism supply chain in an uncertain environment is developed, accounting for the effects of COVID-19. The first objective function minimizes the total cost of the supply chain, while the second maximizes customer satisfaction. The proposed mathematical model is solved using a fuzzy goal programming (FGP) method. A sensitivity analysis study is also carried out to examine the performance of some basic parameters. Furthermore, the model is tested in a real case study to determine its efficacy. Finally, some effective managerial insights are proposed to improve the situation of the centers during the pandemic.

Natural resources and policies for community-based ecotourism

This paper in particular deals with the analysis and reviews of the ecotourism policies and the framework of the state of Uttarakhand and the Indian government. In general, it evaluates and discusses the future and significance of the natural resources for the development of the community-based ecotourism in Uttarakhand for the sustainable development of the villages including conservation of biological diversity. This paper argues that the homestay programme, if encouraged, might help the state to achieve its goal of ecotourism and the green economy. Tourism was given an industry status by the government of Uttarakhand in 2018, providing attractive incentives and subsidies. Nevertheless, there is still a need for the appropriate policy framework for the better management of the natural resources, development and the training of the various stakeholders and the entrepreneurs involved in the community-based ecotourism industry.

Wildlife Conservation through Economically Responsible Ecotourist: The Mediator Roles of Attitude between Anticipated Emotion and Intention to Stay in Local Homestays

If responsible ecotourists stay in a local homestay, this will benefit local people economically and lead to improved wildlife conservation. This study aims to examine the mediator roles of attitudes between anticipated emotion and intention. It was conducted in Penang National Park, Malaysia, and a stratified sampling method was used for collecting the data. In all, 320 sets of questionnaires were analysed using the SPSS Amos 24.0 Statistical Software Package to test the Structural Equation Modelling. The findings show that economically responsible ecotourist attitudes to staying in local homestays for wildlife conservation partially mediate the relationship between anticipated emotion and intention to stay in a local homestay for wildlife conservation. This study suggests that players in the ecotourism industry should incorporate emotional elements in their marketing strategies to promote local homestays to responsible ecotourists, which would benefit local economies.

Total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and antioxidant activity of ethanolic extract of Rafflesia kerri Meijer, Lojing Highlands, Peninsular Malaysia

Rafflesia kerri Meijer belongs to genus Rafflesia, recognized as the biggest flower in the world. This species found distributed in tropical rainforest of Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia. The flower believed to have medicinal values and used as traditional herbs by aborigine ethnic group and locals. Herein, this study was conducted to evaluate the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and antioxidant activity of the flower by using several antioxidant assays, which includes 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The extract of female ethanolic extract exhibited highest antioxidant activity in all of the assays (FRAP = 4642.844 ± 10.777 mM/mg) and median inhibition concentration (IC50 = 49.850 ± 2.179). The same extract showed the presence of phenolic and flavonoid content with respective value of (Gallic acid equivalent, GAE) of 1634.731 ± 20.465 mg/100g and Quercetin equivalent (QE = 817.000 ± 69.282 mg/g) respectively with significantly differences (p < 0.05) compared to male ethanolic extract. Thus, the flower is highly valuable not only for ecotourism industry but also has potent medicinal value for human health improvement.

Current challenges facing ecotourism development in Iran

Iran is a rich country in terms of natural, historical, and cultural resources appropriate for ecotourism development. Despite its many valuable attractions and growth potential, Iranian ecotourism has faced various problems that have slowed or even prevented its expansion. Thus, in order to plan to address these challenges, we need to identify them. This study highlights the challenges of Iranian ecotourism and identifies areas where further research is required by reviewing some of the previous studies on Iran’s ecotourism. Based on a literature review and thematic analysis, six different categories of challenges are presented: governance and planning, political, socio-economic, cultural; legal aspects; infrastructure; community awareness and knowledge; and environmental challenges. The study results indicated that the most significant challenges facing the Iranian ecotourism industry are governance, management, and planning issues. The research findings enhance our understanding of the current challenges of ecotourism in Iran that need to be rigorously investigated in the future and before any development planning projects. This study provides valuable insights for researchers, managers, and tourism officials on the development of Iranian ecotourism, which can be considered for future studies and planning.

Socio-Cultural, Economic and Environmental Impacts of Ecotourism in Birilarosa Protected Landscape and Seascape (BLPLS)

Ecotourism is a melting pot of cultures and people. It is said that national and local pride can be created through the cultural appreciation of ecotourists, and local knowledge and the standard of living can be enhanced. The folklore or story about “Berbenota” the enchanted lady of Rock Formations have resulted to the protection and conservation who is believed to be the protector of the area. These activities provide special opportunities to understand the history and traditions of the community and to witness their cultural practices and daily living, including traditional rituals, rites and dances. For the positive side of ecotourism, it can generate environmental rehabilitation and natural or local tourism development by promoting environmental protection and the improvement of a specific tourist destination. The greatest contribution of ecotourism is the protection of biodiversity and a sustainable development plan is necessary. In terms of the negative side, when ecotourism is improperly managed, environmental degradation follows. These invasions often include deforestation, disruption of ecological lifestyle systems and various styles of pollutants, all of which make a contribution to environmental degradation. It is important to note that majority of the respondents were farmers which at the same time fishermen. It is also interesting that many of the employed people were also patronizing the local tourist’s destination. It seems that common people were benefitted so much of the booming local ecotourism industry in the BLPLS areas as represented by the various stakeholders and key players in the tourism industry. At least One hundred respondents were interviewed using the systematic sampling approach. The results indicate that both the mainland and island communities benefits ecotourism in various ways but not to their level of satisfaction. Members of the community are allowed access to resources such as fish, food crops, firewood and water. Additionally, a range of job opportunities includes tour guiding; rendering service mobility vehicles for the tourists, and accommodations. Another key tourism related benefits include interaction with the tourists, sale of local crafts, fish processing, food vending and opportunities to profile cultural activities. However, there remains the need to improve beneficiation given the high poverty and unemployment rates in the locality.

TOWS analysis for sustainable ecotourism development and state support during the pandemic: The Aral Sea region of Uzbekistan

Evaluating the current ecotourism situation in the Aral Sea region of Uzbekistan and offering strategies for its sustainable development are the main objectives of the study. The threats, opportunities, weaknesses and strengths (TOWS) analysis was applied to identify the required management strategies. The article aims to review the literature on ecotourism promotion in the Aral Sea region. Based on TOWS, the results show that state support during the pandemic should be strategically coordinated to secure the sustainability of the ecotourism industry in Uzbekistan.