Ecotourism in Costa Rica
A Way to a Better Future?
What is Ecotourism?
The concept of ecotourism, which is based on Hetzer (1965), one of the first researchers who contributed to this concept, identified four pillars of ecotourism (Buchsbaum 4). These four pillars or principles are “minimizing environmental impacts, respecting host cultures, maximizing benefits to local people, and maximizing tourist satisfaction” (4). Ecotourism is the result of two major factors. The first one is the “environmental movement of the 1970’s and 1980’s” (4).
During this time the people became more aware of environmental issues such as air and water pollution which resulted into the Earth Day demonstration in 1970 (“The History of Earth Day”). The second factor that contributed to the emergence of Ecotourism is the “great dissatisfaction with mass tourism due to overdevelopment, environmental pollution, and the invasion of culturally insensitive and economically disruptive foreigners” (Buchsbaum 4). Because of these two factors which enhanced and extended the awareness of environmental pollution as well as the disruptiveness of mass tourism for the environment and the local citizens a demand for ecotourism evolved.
Source: rgbstock.com
Though there is no clear definition of Ecotourism currently, the Oxford English Dictionary defines it as followed,
Tourism to areas of ecological interest (typically exotic and often threatened natural environments, [especially] to support conservation efforts and observe wildlife; [as well as] access to an endangered environment controlled so as to have the least possible adverse effect. (“ecotourism”)
Today, there are many different definitions of ecotourism. The International Ecotourism Society (2004) defines it as “[r]esponsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and sustains the well-being of local people” (“What is Ecotourism”). Another definition from the World Conservation Union (1996) states that ecotourism is “’[e]nvironmentally responsible travel and visitation to relatively undisturbed natural areas, in order to enjoy and appreciate nature . . . has low negative visitor impact’” (“Eco-Trips and Travel”). Besides these various definitions there are also different types of ecotourism such as “’hard’ vs. ‘soft’, ‘deep’ vs. ‘shallow’, or ‘active’ versus ‘passive’ . . . [hence ecotourism] cannot be grouped into one categorical definition” (Buchsbaum 5). However, the common thread of the definitions of ecotourism suggests that it is beneficial to “local communities and [has] a positive effect on protecting the environment” (6).
Source: “What is Ecotourism? With Hector Ceballos-Lascurain.”
Additionally, in his educational video Hector Ceballos-Lascurain explains ecotourism as followed,
ecotourism can be defined as environmentally responsible travel and visitation to relatively undisturbed natural areas, in order to enjoy and appreciate nature (and any accompanying cultural features- both past and present) that promotes conservation has low negative visitor impact, and provides beneficially active socio-economic involvement of local populations. (“What is Ecotourism? With Hector Ceballos-Lascurain”)
While being bulky and including a variety of dynamics including environmental, economic, and social requirements this definition is critical for this research because it demonstrates the specific niche that ecotourism occupies within the tourism industry.
For instance, it exists as a subset of sustainable tourism that coincides with but is not synonymous with nature tourism. This provides a very specific and narrow target as to what actually can be qualified as true successful ecotourism. This definition is particularly relevant to this research that aims to take a concentrated and focused case study on one of the most widely celebrated examples of successful ecotourism particularly as a development tool.
To see the entire definition by Hector Ceballos-Lascurain watch the whole video right here.
Source: “What is Ecotourism? With Hector Ceballos-Lascurain.”
* This Diagram and concept are the intellectual property of Ceballos-Lascurain. We have reproduced and displayed it only to clarify the definition of ecotourism.