Urban Ecotourism Research Articles

The Valuation of the Urban Ecotourism Potential of the Volcanic Geomorphohydrosite Băile Tuşnad in Harghita County, Romania

Băile Tușnad, also known as “Little Switzerland”, “The Land of Mineral Waters”, “The Pearl of Transylvania” or “The Pearl of Spa Tourism in Romania”, was once the pride and effervescence of spa tourism in Romania. Officially, it is the smallest town in the country, and through the unique charm of its landscape and natural heritage it has earned its national and international reputation. A new opportunity for the development of the resort in 2023 is the promotion of the town by the Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Tourism (MET) as a new ecotourism destination in the country. Thus, the area might become the 7th ecotourism destination in Romania, being one of the most representative volcanic geomorphohydrosites in the Harghita Mountains (Eastern Carpathians). The objective of the study was to evaluate the ecotourism potential of the settlement and the region using methods applied in academic literature for urban and rural geomorphosites, as well as to justify the importance of this ecotourism destination based on tourist circulation data. In the evaluation process of the ecotourism potential the resort receives 84% of the maximum score according to the methodology, and the tourist circulation data support the important contribution that the resort has in Harghita County, with increasing prospects after the recovery from the pandemic period.

A sustainable framework for urban ecotourism development: A comparative literature review of policy and practices in Thailand and China

This research aims to identify best practices and policy guidelines that foster sustainable urban ecotourism. As urban areas continue to expand, integrating ecotourism into urban planning emerges as a critical approach to sustainable development. This paper compares the policies and practices of urban ecotourism development in Thailand and China, aiming to construct a sustainable framework applicable to urban ecotourism development. Employing a comparative literature review, this research synthesizes findings from peer-reviewed journals, governmental reports, and case studies published between 2000 and 2024. The analysis focuses on the policies and practices adopted by Thailand and China to promote urban ecotourism, examining their effectiveness, challenges, and outcomes. The review shows distinct approaches in the two countries, with Thailand emphasizing community-based practices and stakeholder involvement and China primarily focusing on top-down policy initiatives for urban ecotourism development. Despite differing strategies, both countries demonstrate a commitment to integrating ecotourism into urban development plans. From the environmental, socio-cultural, and economic three dimensions, key successes include enhanced biodiversity conservation, increased local community participation, and improved tourist satisfaction. Challenges such as inadequate policy implementation, environmental degradation, and the sustainability of ecotourism practices are also discussed. The conclusion is that a holistic approach to urban ecotourism development that aligns policy and practice with the principles of sustainability is meaningful. The proposed framework offers actionable insights for policymakers, urban planners, and ecotourism practitioners aiming to use the potential of ecotourism as a tool for sustainable urban development in Thailand, China, and beyond.

Características de dormideros comunales de Loros Habladores (<i>Amazona aestiva</i><i></i><i></i>) en la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina: una población fuera de su rango de distribución natural

Psittacines are often illegally captured and sold as pets. The historical capture of specimens and the deforestation of the native forest have had negative consequences on psittacine species at a global level. Locally, individuals retained as pets and subsequently released have been able to establish outside their native range, and may even become invasive. The Turquoise-fronted Parrot (Amazona aestiva) is wanted as a pet for its ability to imitate sounds. Specimens released in the 1980s and 1990s in the City of Buenos Aires, established a population 750 km of the limit of their natural range. In 2015 and 2018, we detected roosts in the neighborhood of Saavedra and Parque Chas-Agronomía respectively. In this work we aimed to gain new knowledge about this population, its feeding sites, roosts and behavior. The two roosts studied were located on urban trees (mainly Platanus acerifolia), and are the only ones recorded so far in Buenos Aires. We recorded an average of 243 individuals in 2021 and 180 in 2022. We recorded 12 sites within a 20 km radius of the active roost where the Turquoise-fronted Parrot was observed. Parrots leave the roost at dawn and return at dusk. They consume fruits of Platanus acerifolia, Melia azedarach, Eriobotrya japonica, Styphnolobium japonicum, among others. These roosts may constitute a new resource for urban ecotourism, giving value to this species that persists outside its natural range where it is threatened.

Estimating the visitor’s willingness to pay towards biodiversity conservation at Kuala Lumpur Forest Eco Park, Malaysia, using the Contingent Valuation Method

Abstract. Musa F, Shahrudin INM. 2023. Estimating the visitor’s willingness to pay towards biodiversity conservation at Kuala Lumpur Forest Eco Park, Malaysia, using the Contingent Valuation Method. Biodiversitas 24: 3690-3699. The Kuala Lumpur Forest Eco Park is within the Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve, Malaysia's oldest and most biodiverse hill dipterocarp forest. The destruction of urban greenery in the heart of Kuala Lumpur has prompted stakeholders to conserve this forest as urban ecotourism areas for recreational, educational, and research activities. Due to the absence of a market, the economic value of biodiversity cannot be quantified in monetary terms from an economic perspective. Therefore, it will be difficult for stakeholders to justify the cost of conservation in their management in the future. This study's objective was to determine the economic value of biodiversity conservation at Kuala Lumpur Forest Eco Park by determining a visitor's Willingness to Pay (WTP) using the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM). A total of 250 questionnaires were distributed randomly to both international and domestic tourists to conduct this study. Five bid prices were chosen for domestic and international visitors based on the Logit Model's estimation of the visitor's WTP for biodiversity conservation. This study indicates that most visitors are willing to pay for biodiversity conservation influenced by religion, marital status, income, employment, and education. Furthermore, the results indicate that the WTP's mean and median per visit are MYR3.81 and MYR2.58 based on domestic visitor data. Consequently, this research may aid decision-makers in managing the financial strategy for biodiversity conservation activities. Thus, the conservation fee that visitors can accept based on their willingness to pay will further boost visitors' future visits to the Kuala Lumpur Forest Eco Park.

URBAN ECOTOURISM: TANTANGAN DALAM MENINGKATKAN PARTISIPASI MASYARAKAT KAMPUNG WISATA KOTA BOGOR

The success of urban ecotourism in tourism villages requires community participation, both in developing tourism activities and businesses and in tourism management. The research aims to analyze three aspects, namely natural and cultural potential, the obstacles faced by the community in managing tourism villages, and the potential for community participation in managing tourism villages. The research was conducted in two tourism villages located in the center of Bogor City, namely Pulo Geulis Village and Labirin Village. Primary data was collected by distributing questionnaires to community respondents and analyzed descriptively using the Kruskal Wallis test. The study shows that cultural potential is more likely to be utilized in an effort to improve the community's economy and attract tourist visits. Community participation is still limited to Kompepar membership and food and beverages providers. The low participation is strongly suspected because the income derived from the tourism business is still unable to meet daily needs. Continuous coaching and increasing synergy between communities in tourism villages is an important thing to do to increase community participation in tourism development.

Stakeholder perspectives concerning the progress of South Africa’s urban ecotourism destination

South Africa is a leading destination for ecotourism. The establishment of ecotourism projects in South Africa - as is the case with most of the world - has been associated with geographically remote rural spaces located in the peripheral regions of the tourism space economy. This paper directs attention to the progress of an urban ecotourism destination in South Africa, namely Dinokeng in the Tshwane metropolitan area which is centred around the city of Pretoria. Dinokeng is distinguished by the fact that it hosts a Big Five game reserve in a metropolitan area. The research is based on stakeholder interviews conducted with 27 accommodation providers. The present study is original for its subject focus on urban ecotourism and by offering stakeholder perspectives on the emergence, progress and challenges of this ecotourism destination as a vital dimension of tourism change occurring in the Global South.

The Planning and Establishment Challenges of an Urban Ecotourism Destination in South Africa

Ecotourism is a major driver of tourism in rural, usually remote peripheral regions in several African countries including South Africa. The aim in this paper is to examine the planning and establishment challenges which surround the development of an urban ecotourism project in South Africa. The research focuses on the Dinokeng Game Reserve which is geographically located on the boundary of one of South Africa’s major metropolitan areas and situated in the country’s economic heartland. This ecotourism project offers a new niche product for urban tourism development. Using documentary sources as well as original interview material the paper analyses the key steps in the planning of this innovative urban tourism product. The study contributes to the growing tourism geography scholarship of South Africa and to the broader international literature on the role of distinctive niche products in urban tourism development in the Global South

Motives to Visit Urban Ecotourism Sites: A Study of a Botanical Garden in South Africa

Botanical gardens are a global phenomenon. Historically developed with the intention of maintaining a living collection of plants (under scientific management) for the purpose of research and education, botanical gardens have evolved to provide an accessible urban alternative for ecotourism experiences. Given that many botanical gardens are publically funded, income secured from tourist visitation can help supplement (limited) government funds. The purpose of this study was determining the motives of visitors to a botanical garden in South Africa. Employing a quantitative methodology, an onsite intercept survey by means of convenience sampling yielded 304 usable responses. An exploratory factor analysis revealed six distinct visitor motivations. The results inform the marketing of botanical gardens with a view to promoting their financial sustainability as visitor attractions, and ultimately their continued role as centres of scientific research, conservation and education.

Urban Ecotourism and Strategic Action Plan Approach; Isparta City Example

The concept of urban ecotourism is accepted as an important component in order to increase the tourism potential and diversity of cities, to spread tourism activities over 12 months, to protect and sustain existing natural and cultural values, to increase awareness of nature and environmental protection, and to increase local income sources. Isparta city and its surroundings have rich ecotourism potential in terms of natural and cultural resource values. The aim of the study is to examine the concept of urban ecotourism conceptually, to take an inventory of the natural and cultural values of the city of Isparta and its surroundings, to create a SWOT analysis and strategic action plan for urban ecotourism. As a result, two main goals and nine different aims and many actions have been proposed in terms of urban ecotourism in Isparta.

Effects of tourists’ psychological perceptions and travel choice behaviors on the nonmarket value of urban ecotourism during the COVID-19 pandemic- case study of the Maokong region in Taiwan

Effects of tourists’ psychological perceptions and travel choice behaviors on the nonmarket value of urban ecotourism during the COVID-19 pandemic- case study of the Maokong region in Taiwan

Environmental factors influencing the perceptions of urban ecotourism among host communities in South Africa

This study identified environmental factors that influence perceptions of urban ecotourism among host communities, with specific reference to city parks in South Africa's Gauteng Province. This research adopted a quantitative approach, using the survey methodology in which 378 community members from Ivory Park, Ebony Park and Kaalfontein were given detailed questionnaires. The collected data were analysed utilising exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and structural equation modelling, by means of the Smart PLS software. The results of the exploratory factor analysis showed that, for the environment impact construct, four factors were extracted: rules, nature conservation, participation and environmental benefits. The results of the structural equation modelling established that there is a positive and significant

Kentsel Ekoturizm Açısından Isparta Kent İnsanının Talep ve Eğilimleri

The city of Isparta, which is the center of the Lakes Region in the Mediterranean Region, has a rich potential in terms of historical, archaeological and cultural values. Urban ecotourism provides many contributions such as gaining importance of local values, reviving local and regional economy, discovering new places, increasing local experiences, gathering of human communities from different cultures, and gaining the awareness of protecting the natural environment. In this study, the potential of the city of Isparta in terms of urban ecotourism was determined, the demands and trends for urban ecotourism were determined with a survey conducted to urban people (n:409) and the current situation was determined with SWOT analysis., According to the results, the reason for ecotourism was stated as exploring nature and participating in some recreational activities (trekking, mountain biking and taking photographs, etc.). It has been determined that especially urban green areas are preferred as the most suitable areas for ecotourism activities.

Tourist Satisfaction towards Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Using Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) As a Tool to Determine Urban Ecotourism Potential

The Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) is widely used in many fields of study as it produces simple and straightforward results. However, it is rarely used by managers of ecotourism and urban green spaces. Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) was adopted from a destination perspective to understand industry demand. This study explores the visitors’ satisfaction level on ecotourism attributes i.e. attraction, urban green spaces and accessibility that affect tourist satisfaction towards Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia using IPA scheme. A total of 384 tourists to Kota Kinabalu were provided with a list of environmental features and asked to rate the importance of and satisfaction with each attribute. IPA was performed to compare mean scores and identify areas of concern. The analysis identified eight (8) attributes which were applauded with excellent performance on highly important features and should maintain its competitiveness as a tourist destination. Six (6) attributes resulted under the poor performance on an extremely important category; indicates the areas that should be given improvement interventions, while four (4) attributes were identified as possible overkill that implies divergences of resources elsewhere are needed. Finally, six (6) attributes faired as low in priority and effort may not be necessary on those features. Although six (6) out of 24 attributes were found to be less advantageous, an interview simultaneously conducted during the survey however found that 97% of respondents perceived that Kota Kinabalu city has the potential as an Urban Ecotourism destination. This study resulted in some findings for those at managerial level to pursue and areas that should be improved as it provides a greater understanding on the Urban Ecotourism potential in Kota Kinabalu industry, by using the Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) tool as it facilitates the interpretation of data. This study fosters that ecotourism product does exist in Kota Kinabalu city, and steer the industry towards sustainable development in urban centres.

Association of antimicrobial resistance and gut microbiota composition in human and non-human primates at an urban ecotourism site

BackgroundThe rise of nature-based ecotourism in the past decade has introduced unprecedented challenges in managing the increasing interaction between humans and animals. The potential transmission of antibiotic resistant microbes between humans and non-human primate populations is a concern due to their genetic similarity. Malaysia is well known for hotspots of wildlife diversity where non-human primates like monkeys and orangutans have become popular tourist attractions. In this study, we assessed the prevalence of antimicrobial resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus species, and other Enterobacteriaceae in the faeces of human (HS) and two non-human primates (NHP) in Malaysia, the Long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis, MF) and Silvered leaf monkey (Trachypithecus cristatus, TC). In addition, the faecal bacterial composition was profiled to evaluate the potential association between antibiotic resistant profiles and composition of gut microbiota.ResultsWe tested the isolated bacteria using a selection of antibiotics. The results showed that both the number of antibiotic resistant strains and resistance level were higher in humans than NHPs. Overall, the composition of gut microbiome and pattern of antibiotic resistance showed that there was higher similarity between MF and TC, the two NHPs, than with HS. In addition, samples with higher levels of antibiotic resistance showed lower bacterial richness. Homo sapiens had the lowest bacterial diversity and yet it had higher abundance of Bacteroides. In contrast, NHPs displayed higher bacterial richness and greater prevalence of Firmicutes such as Ruminococceae and Oscillospira.ConclusionHigher antibiotic susceptibility in NHPs is likely related to low direct exposure to antibiotics. The lack of resistance may also suggest limited antimicrobial resistance transmission between humans and NHP. Nonetheless, continued monitoring over a long period will help mitigate the risk of anthropozoonosis and zooanthroponosis.

Transgressing the Right to the City: Urban Mining and Ecotourism in Post-Industrial Romania

Transgressing the Right to the City: Urban Mining and Ecotourism in Post-Industrial Romania

Phlebotomines (Diptera: Psychodidae) from a Urban Park of Belém, Pará State, Northern Brazil and Potential Implications in the Transmission of American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis.

In urban ecotourism parks, the life cycle of American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) agents can remain established, where phlebotomines may comprise potential risks for visitors. The present study aimed to survey the phlebotomine fauna of a forest park ‘Bosque Rodriques Alves-Jardim Botânico da Amazônia’ (BRAJBA), in the urban area of Belém, Brazil. The park was monthly surveyed in 2018 using CDC light traps placed in ground and canopy strata. Leishmania spp. isolated from dissected females were characterized by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (PCR-RFLP) analysis. Fluctuations in specimen capture were correlated with rainfall. Nyssomyia antunesi (Coutinho, 1939) was predominant for all surveyed ecotopes and capture methods in both areas. Females of Ny. antunesi resting on tree bases were observed attempting to bite researchers during early morning. One Bichromomyia flaviscutellata (Mangabeira, 1942) and one Trichophoromyia brachipyga (Mangabeira, 1942) were found naturally infected by flagellates. Only the strain from Th. brachipyga was isolated and characterized as Leishmania (Viannia) lainsoni Silveira, Shaw, Braga and Ishikawa, 1987. Monthly fluctuations of the three most abundant species, Ny. antunesi, Trichophoromyia ubiquitalis (Mangabeira, 1942) and Th. brachypiga, had statistically significant negative correlations with rainfall. The present study provided further information to better understand ACL ecology in the Belém urban area, where the urban parks surveyed appeared to offer potential risk of contracting the disease, thus requiring environmental management. These observations highlighted the need for including Ny. antunesi, Bi. flaviscutellata, Th. ubiquitalis, and Th. brachypiga in the priority list for continuous entomological surveillance.

Nature Park Amager – examining the transition from urban wasteland to a rewilded ecotourism destination

ABSTRACTUrban ecotourism and urban rewilding may form a sustainable transition path for both tourism and urban wilderness. In an explorative case study, we analyse this option by reconstructing the history of an extensive urban wasteland formerly used as military shooting range and dumpsite and converted to a Nature Park in 2015. The transformation of this urban wasteland has a long history which is shaped by changes in society, technologies, and consequently in ecologies during different periods reflecting prevailing paradigms of nature perceptions over time. We seek to provide a theoretical frame using the social-ecological-technological systems (SETs) framework and transition theory to describe the transformations of the site from its pre-wasteland stage to rewilding and recreation and lately niche development of urban ecotourism. Results reveal that Nature Park Amager is an excellent case illustrating the transformation of an urban wasteland into a nature park providing recreational experiences, interpretative facilities, and guided ecotourism tours for tourists.

A Study on the Characteristics Analysis and Activation Plans of Gil-dong Eco-Park as an Urban Ecotourism Resource

A Study on the Characteristics Analysis and Activation Plans of Gil-dong Eco-Park as an Urban Ecotourism Resource

Evaluating urban eco-tourism resources and environment: a case study in Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden, China

In this paper, Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden, China has been selected as the study area. The overall status and the development conditions of resources and environment have been analyzed for the park. The eco-tourism resources and environment of Chenshan Botanical Garden were further evaluated synthetically by using expert analysis and questionnaire. A comprehensive evaluation system including 16 indices has been initially established from three aspects of tourism resource element value, resource development condition and eco-environment condition. The characteristics of eco-tourism resources and the score of each indicator for Chenshan Botanical Garden have subsequently been generated. The results show that the comprehensive evaluation score of eco-tourism resources and environment for Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden is 72.06, which belongs to third level of excellent tourism resources and environment. Finally, five suggestions are proposed for future development of its eco-tourism resources and environment.

Modern Transportation and Photovoltaic Energy for Urban Ecotourism

This study proposes an innovative integrated transportation/photovoltaic energy system that will enable the Pompeii Municipality to develop a set of urban ecotourism policies and instruments for the preparation and adoption of an environmental sustainable mobility strategy to be applied in their future municipality urban plan. The innovative character of the study resides in two principal aspects: the technologies applied, namely, the use of thin fi lm photovoltaic (hereafter PV) panels (copper-indium-gallium-(di)selenide cells) on a fl exible support, and the way these technologies are applied. A combined energy/mobility approach based on ‘Zero km and zero emission energy production for zero emission electric transportation strategy’ to be implemented in the Public Urban Plan (Piano Urbanistico Comunale) of the town of Pompeii is presented. According to the technology to be adopted (thin PV fi lm on fl exible supports integrated in the parking shelters roofs), to the foreseen PV plant of 700 sqm parking lots, and to an innovative multifunctional design approach (bio-mimicking sun track roof), an improved yearly power production of 100.0 MWh is foreseen with a 20- 25% increase of power production with respect to standard fi xed PV panels of the same type.