Fakultät Forst-, Geo- und Hydrowissenschaften Institut für … · 2015. 10. 20. · Fakultät Forst-, Geo- und Hydrowissenschaften Institut für Kartographie, Prof. M. Buchroithner

Towards a concept for Ecotourism in the Atacama Andes

Fakultät Forst-, Geo- und Hydrowissenschaften Institut für Kartographie, Prof. M. Buchroithner

The Show-Case of Laguna Verde - Ojos del Salado - Tres Cruces National Park

Manfred F. Buchroithner Dresden University of Technology, Germany


Motto:

“Take only memories, leave nothing but footprints”

Chief Seattle , 1854 in his speech in Seattle (Chief of the Squamish and Dwamish Native American)


1 Clarifying some Terms 1.1 Types of Tourism

There exist various types of and terms for „tourism“, for instance …


Source: http://www.yepat.uni-greifswald.de/geo/fileadmin/dateien/projekte/Szczecin/ST-types-of-tourism.pdf

Category (type of tourism)

Definition

Mass tourism Characterized by…

Soft tourism

Historic term which initiated discussion about problems of mass

tourism; …led to consciousness and increasing awareness

Alternative tourism

Tourism which is not mass tourism; frequently synonymous with sustainable tourism

Sustainable tourism

Tourism that meets the needs of present tourists and host regions while protecting and enhancing

opportunities for the future



Category (type of tourism)

Definition

Natural area tourism

Tourism in natural settings (from „bird watching“ to „scuba diving“)

Adventure tourism

Tourism that is focussed on the activity in a natural area;

… is an outdoor leisure activity that takes place in an unusual, exotic remote or wilderness destination.

Nature based tourism

a) Any form of tourism that relies primarily on the natural environment for ist attractions or settings. b) Occurs in natural settings but has the added

emphasis of fostering understanding and conservation of the natural environment.

Ecotourism Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the welfare of local people



Ecotourism as a subset of Sustainable Tourism

Ecotourism: responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the welfare of local people


1.2 „Definitions“

1.2.1 Sustainable Tourism

Sustainable tourism is an industry committed to making a low impact on the environment and local culture, while helping to generate income and employment for local people. The aim of sustainable tourism is to ensure that development is a positive experience for local people; tourism companies; and tourists themselves. But sustainable tourism is not the same as 'ecotourism‘.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_tourism


1.2.2 Ecotourism

Ecotourism (also ecological tourism) stands for responsible travel in fragile, pristine, and frequently protected areas that strives of low impact and (often) small scale. It purports to educate the traveler; provide funds for conservation; directly benefit the economic development and political empowerment of local communities; and foster respect for different cultures and for human rights.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecotourism


Ecotourism is considered important so that future generations may experience aspects of the environment relatively untouched by human intervention. It typically involves travel to destinations where geology, flora, fauna and cultural heritage are the primary attractions. Ecotourism gives insight into the impact of human beings on nature and also a greater appreciation of our own natural habitats.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecotourism


Bruennstein Hut (1342 m), Bavarian Alps, Germany

2 Examples of Ecotourism Infrastructure

2.1 Mountain Huts

2.1.1 Germany – Austria – Suisse


New Magdeburg Hut (1633 m), Karwendel Mountains, Austria


Toelz Hut (1825 m), Karwendel Mountains, Austria


Adamek Hut (2196 m), Dachstein Massif, Austria


Completely managed with renewable energy: • photovoltaics • solar cells • block heating station driven by rape (colza) oil Waste water/sewage: • filtering • waste materials processed by a solar composter

Kaunergrat Hut (2817 m), Oetztal Alps, Austria


Marco e Rosa Hut (3609 m), Upper Valois, Suisse


Gouter Hut (3817 m), Mont Blanc Massif, France


Monte Rosa Hut (2883 m), Upper Valois, Suisse

Shape: like a big quartz crystal

Total energy consumption: autarchy 90 % 90 % of energy consumption generated by photovoltaics (storage in batteries cloud coverage)

In addition: block heating station

Water consumption: melt water and rain

Wast water: used for toilets

Hot water for showers and kitchen: by solar heating

… a contrasting futuristic alternative …


2.1.2 Andes Examples of Mountain Huts in Native Building Style

Hut Ishinca (4350m), Peruvian Andes, Peru


Hut „Don Basco“ Huascarán (4670m), Peruvian Andes, Peru

Hut "Don Bosco" Huascarán (4670m)


Wayra Lodge (3660m), Peruvian Andes, Peru


Salkantay Lodge (3600m), Peruvian Andes, Peru



… nice examples of local building style, however, no signs of alternative energy production!


3 Sustainable Energy Generation and Consumption

3.1 Windparks in the Alps

Currently highest wind-park in Europe. More than 40.000 MWh per year.

Tauernwindpark (1900m), Styria/Austria

Photo by Herzi Pinki, Wikipedia


Steinriegel (1600 m), Styria/Austria

Energy supply for 12.000 households.


3.2 Hydropower in the Alps

Currently Austria relies on more 2500 mini hydropower stations covering 9 % of the total Austrian electric power consumption. They support approx. 1.6 million households, corresponding to 52 % of all Austrian households. Thus, annualy 4.1 million tons of CO2 can be saved. NB: In the Ojos del Salado Region Rio Lama and La Ola near Salar de Pedernales show perennial water discharge. Suitable for permanent hydropower generation.


3.3 Solar Energy: Examples Solar Cookers

Price: approx. 60-350 Euro Tibet


3.4 Valley Buses in Lungau, Austria

Electric vehicles Powered by solar energy


Most Important Ecological Targets

• Contribution for the establishment and consolidation of an „Eco-image“ for the guests and the public (media, local government, population)

• Conservation of the important touristic capacity/ capital, namely the intact enviroment and landscape

• Traffic calming

• Car-free side-valleys – improvement of mobility true a flexible public transport system: every important tourist destination can be reached without private cars Source: http://taelerbus.at


4 Ecotourism and Financial Income Situation 2000 - 2010

NB: Austria and Switzerland rely to 9% and 5% resp. of their gross domestic product on their (alpine) tourism. Here, hiking, climbing and ski-mountaineering represent a major and the most sustainable portion. Now: What does it look like in the Atacama Andes? As-Is-Analysis


5 Situation in the Ojos del Salado Region: Campground at Laguna Verde

Photo by Sylvia Eydam

Overview showing the sloping tent pitches Windshelter Stone-Walls



Administration/ Registration/ Indoor Thermal Pool






Boulder Heaps for ?






Restrooms, Thermal Pipelines






View of Wind-sheltered Outdoor Pools



Outdoor Pool


6 European Outdoor Campgrounds Camping Eggmatte (1200 m) Bernese Alps, Suisse


Camping Plauns (1900 m), Engadin, Suisse





Dining Room

Kitchen Heated Restrooms and Showers


Odda Camping (120 m), Near Glacier Folgefonna, Norway


7 Excurs: The “Big Money” of the Dakar Rally DAKAR RALLY 2010 (Official Press Release)

DIRECT ECONOMICAL EFFECTS: 57 MILLION EUROS

The Dakar rally travelled during over two weeks in Argentina and Chile with important logistical needs. All the expenses of the organisation linked for example to transportation, accommodation and catering represent a direct injection into the local economy. The studies done concerning the spectators that travelled to go and see the race or the media that covered it, allowed evaluating the global sum of the direct economical effects. As a total, the economical impact reaches 57.5 million Euros (US$, 74.5M).

The study does not take into account the indirect economical effects that will come from the tourist impact on a short, medium and long term, and linked to the media exposure.

The race in Chile “presents a million dollar business,” said Oscar Santelices, Director of Sernatur, the federal tourism promotion office. Giancarlo Coronata, chairman of the Antofagasta Chamber of Commerce, gives the race an unqualified thumbs up, saying it will bring about 6,000 spectators to the region who will spend as much as US$ 120 daily on lodging, food, transportation and recreation. The Chilean government invested US$ 6 million to help host the Dakar Rally 2010.

Fuente: http://www.santiagotimes.cl/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=17941:dakar-rally-takes-off-in-chile&catid=56:other&Itemid=51







Ecologistas en Acción, has asked the Dakar Rally to be finished early because of the environmental damage that more than 800 all-terrain vehicles are performing: for each 1,000 km of off-road motoring, one hectare (about 2.5 acres) is eroded. Then there is the high fuel consumption, noise and the general promotion of this type of "sport." Ecologistas en Acción thinks that the spirit of adventure and discovery themes of the adventure hide all too well the reality of big-engined vehicles running on heaviest frames through a natural environment.

Fuente: http://green.autoblog.com/2009/01/14/environmental-group-launches-anti-dakar-rally-campaign/


8 Chile: The Official View

8.1 Environmental Education at University Level


8.2 „Calidad Turistica“: The Legal Requirements


Catchword „Calidad Turistica“: www.calidadturistica.cl Now:

How does the reality look? See previous pictures. Consequently:

How should the Atacama Andes tourism destinations look in order to compare with alpine climbing destinations? See previous examples.


9 Marketing: Importance of Websites

9.1 Alpine Exaples

Search Word „Ramsau am Dachstein“ The first hit is the Official Website of a Community. Here a Summer Version.


Official Website of the same Community … Winter


Search Word „Schweiz“ The first hit is The Official Website of Swiss Tourism Agency.


9.2 Ojos del Salado Region

Search Word „Ojos del Salado“ Official Websites?

www.google.com

http://www.google.com/


Website of the Official Concession Holder … , however, no information about the most frequented climbing base for Ojos del Salado, the campground at Laguna Verde, findable.

www.aventurismo.cl

http://www.aventurismo.cl/



On January 20th, 2004, the Bienes Nacionales Ministry granted the concession of this mountain for the next 50 years to our Company, AVENTURISMO expediciones (or Martínez, Illanes e Hijo and Ltd. Co.).

This means that our Company is the only one enterprise in charged of the administration of services and security in this mountain.

OJOS DEL SALADO CONCESSION

We will have to invest about $230.000.000 (about US$380.000, 2004) in several constructions, camping zones, baths, roads, signs, huts, radio comunication systems, etc. during the next five years. Our concession includes Laguna Verde Hot Springs and we will have the same services there.

From December 1st, 2004, all people that want to visit Ojos del Salado or Laguna Verde will have to have the authorization of our Company (apart from that of DIFROL to climb Ojos del Salado) to enter into the Concession (for climbing, hikking, any kind of sports, or simply visiting the place). This authorization is named “Contrato Tipo para Ingreso a Concesión Ojos del Salado”, and has to be obtained BEFORE going to the place. All information you need about it, please contact us to [email protected] specially about what you need to get the authorization. Our main office is located in: Atacama street Nº240 Copiapó Tercera Región, Chile. you can write also to P.O. box 134 Correo Caldera CHILE, or contact through the phones 56 52 232455- 56 52 316395 ; 09-5992184. our e mail is: [email protected] ,

Maximiliano Martínez Espinoza Director Aventurismo expediciones


There also exists the Official Chilean Website … …but how to find it?


… and: Where comes the official governmental SERNATUR website? Where comes the Aventurismo Ojos website? „Analysis de Brechas“


10 Conclusions

With a minimum of efficient and effective work a lot can be achieved for the improvement of sustainable ecotourism in the High Atacama Andes. Superlatives have to be solved (!): • the highest volcano on earth • the highest density of independent peaks above 6000 m in the world • the driest desert on earth • the only glaciers (!) in the driest desert on earth.


This type of tourism will pay back as a sort of counterbalance for the impacts of the very “hard” tourism caused by the Dakar Rally. These counter-measures have also to be “sold” adequately. Gaps between “legal wishes” placed by the government and the “reality” have to be bridged.


Any further questions: [email protected]

I thank you for your attention.

Documents

Fakultät Forst-, Geo- und Hydrowissenschaften Institut für … · 2015. 10. 20. · Fakultät Forst-, Geo- und Hydrowissenschaften Institut für Kartographie, Prof. M. Buchroithner