Ecotourism in Costa Rica Jay and Nazly. Locational Context and Trends Population: 4 million 1.5...

Ecotourism in Costa Ecotourism in Costa RicaRicaJay and Nazly

Locational Context and Locational Context and TrendsTrends

Population: 4 million

1.5 million tourists per year

MonteverdeMonteverde

La Fortuna La Fortuna

Arenal Mundo Aventura Arenal Mundo Aventura

Arenal Volcano Arenal Volcano

Transport Transport

Impacts of EcoTourismImpacts of EcoTourism

“likely to cause more harm than good”

Selective benefit“Trojan horse to gain entry to areas

otherwise denied”Solution: Certification unclear standards, not well known“greenwash for few companies-

largely western owned”

Established 2003 by World Travel Tourism Council (WTTC)

Only a symbol of commitment, not of achievement

High feesAffiliation fee: $220Benchmark sticker: S $395,

M $1610, L $7500Certification fee: ??

Sustain Tourism Stewardship Council (STSC)Accreditation body by UNWTO,

UNEP, TIES, Rainforest Alliance, etc

only regional network setupHigh operational costsHigh fee for accreditation status

Criticism on CertificationUntil demand increases, efforts

doomed“flawed and self-serving concept…

[only for] First World interests”Awards given to hotels and tour

operators that only super-rich can afford X role models

“Tourism is essentially egocentric, and escapist activity”

Social impact of ecotourism : increase in local awareness of

their env:“eliticist construct”=>

patronizes local communitiesImposing artificial “zooified”

lifestyleIgnorance of local ppl’s aspirations

for higher living standards“form of voyeurism”

Environmental Impact of EcoT: Evidence that animal activities

are disturbedMay result in destruction of the

very thing ppl come to seeBig hotels require large amount

of resources and facilities◦Golf course, spa, swimming pool, etc

Economic impact of EcoTEconomic impact of EcoT: Increased employment: Increased foreign investments: Increase in real-estate prices

due to foreign operators and investors

SolutionsNeed rules on density and

capacity ethical code among companies on visitor limits

Stop promoting mass tourism; need fewer tourists who pay more

More caretakersGuidelines for building in

sensitive areasCertification becoming

mandatory from voluntary

Interesting SitesSuccessful Ecotourism in Costa Ricahttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Me

ynzQz4SXk

Ecotourism explained by Duke U profshttp://www.biology.duke.edu/bio217/

2005/cmp8/index.html