Ecotourism in Costa Rica
A Way to a Better Future?
Ecotourism in the Global Context
As 2017 kicks off 'The International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development', it is clear that the world's leading economic development and international governing bodies alongside a growing number of countries are taking notice of how important this dynamic is to the future of the planet. Statements released by the United Nations and World Bank display their recognition:
With more than one billion international tourists now traveling the world each year, tourism has become a powerful and transformative force that is making a genuine difference in the lives of millions of people. The potential of tourism for sustainable development is considerable. As one of the world’s leading employment sectors, tourism provides important livelihood opportunities, helping to alleviate poverty and drive inclusive development. (United Nations Secretary-General, Banki-moon World Tourism Day Message, 2015)
This statement in addition to an article released by the World Bank identifying nature based tourism as a saving grace for developing economies show that the two powerful organizations have linked this significant world sector as an opportunity for inclusive development of the globe. In addition, they have identified the nature based activities as key components within the touristic sphere.
These dynamics go hand in hand with developing nations due to the greater presence of raw spaces that have remained less impacted by urban development. It is estimated that in by 2030 developing economies will represent 57% of the market share of international tourist arrivals (UNTWO "2016 Tourism Highlights"). Dropping air-travel costs, rising global GDPs, and declining un-adulterated landscapes, have combined to create 'the perfect storm'. They have created a global market thirst that historically excluded nations' hope to benefit from. “The value of nature-based tourism is expected to increase over time as the supply of pristine natural assets declines while demand, which seems impervious to economic
shocks, increases with rising GDPs” (World Bank "Nature Based").
Tourism is an important economic sector and has emerged as a robust driver of growth for emerging economies. This growth is driven by low-cost air travel to a much greater number of destinations combined with the development of tourism sites (natural and cultural), better infrastructure, and improved tourist amenities and services in-country (World Bank "Nature Based").
It is interesting that one of these organizations refers to 'sustainable tourism' while the other speaks about 'nature based tourism'. As demonstrated by the diagram found in our Ecotourism-Page which has been produced according to the definition proposed by Hector Ceballos-Lascurain, it is only in the narrow space in which these two tourism subsets converge that ecotourism is found. The results of this research leave us with the understanding that the success of this narrow subset - sustainable nature-based tourism - will determine the well-being of the nations that take part and the global landscape in the years to come. It is for these reasons that Costa Rica becomes a critical case study.
Source: freepik.com
Whether looking within Central America or beyond, three dynamics become clear. Tourism continues to be one of the world's fastest growing industries (UNTWO "Why Tourism"), nature based tourism is the fastest growing sector within tourism industry, and developing countries are the fastest growing market shareholder within this tourism (UNTWO "2016 Tourism Highlights"). Historically excluded nations continue to look for sustainable economic solutions while existing tourism destinations look to reinvent themselves and adjust to consumption patterns.
Martha Honey says it best, "We're not going to stop the movement by people to the last unvisited places on the planet, but we cannot continue to travel as we have'' (qtd. in Egan). She accepts the dynamic and understands that traditional ways of tourism cannot be continued over the long term. Julie Dasenbrock contributes with her own evaluation during her research on Costa Rica:
Once this fact is accepted, environmentalists can look for ways that tourism and conservation can coexist. Although ecotourism may not be able to preserve these areas as they would if human contact were prohibited, it can help protect them from the dangers of destructive agricultural practices, mining, and industrialization. The flora and fauna may be bothered but at least it will not be destroyed. (Dasenbrock)
The results of this research agree with these statements that the global trend of ecotourism is here to stay and that developing countries and developed countries alike will continue to be significant players providing consumers, landscapes, funding, and services. This is why the continued and further critical examination (far beyond the scope of this research) is essential. Costa Rica represents a nation that has used ecotourism and natural resources as a development tool and is heralded as a successful case study. This continued critical examination is required in Costa Rica as well as any place ecotourism is practiced. Not so much to undermine reputations or prevent countries from using their resources to better the lives of their citizens, but it is the authenticity and ethical success of this style of tourism that will shape our global future socially, economically, as well as environmentally, and determine for how much longer we will be able to appreciate the diverse natural beauty of our planet as a global society.