ECOTOURISM & LOCAL COMMUNITIES

Ecotourism is the most environmentally friendly form of tourism and is at the core of the concept of sustainable tourism. It is organized in areas which are rich in natural as well as cultural resources, the people who are involved in it have a high level of appreciation for the environment and a strong ‘desire’ to discover and learn, while the profit that comes from ecotourist enterprises goes directly to the local community and drives local economies. 

 text ©Dominika Zaręba

The three most important features of ecotourism which make it distinct from all other forms of tourism are:

1/ Ecotourism is a form of active and in-depth exploration of areas which have superior natural, landscape and cultural value;

2/ Ecotourism actively contributes to the protection of natural and cultural heritage;

3/ Ecotourism is a part of the sustainable development of a region in that it brings real economic as well as societal benefits to local communities and improves the quality of life of their inhabitants.

Community-based tourism

All definitions of ecotourism underline its crucial role in supporting the well-being of local people. Ecotourism is about local communities. Ecotourism developed in parallel with other forms of sustainable tourism and in combination with healthy food production, traditional and artistic crafts and other services can be a powerful impulse for reinforcing the strategy of environmentally-friendly economic growth. First of all it brings direct economic benefits for local communities in rural areas and improves the quality of life (tourist expenditures are invested directly in the local economy). Also it actively strengthens local identity and sense of place (ecotourism is about telling stories of a place and its people). Furthermore, ecotourism empowers different generations, especially young people and women, maintaining the social equity in the region. Therefore we could describe ecotourism using both parallel terms – nature (and heritage) -based tourism as well as community-based tourism. The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) identifies several important characteristics of ecotourism related to its social dimension (see below). Richard Denman (UK) in a report published by WWF International recognizes that ecotourism is community-based tourism “where the local community has substantial control over, and involvement in, its development and management, and a major proportion of the benefits remain within the community”.

Ecotourism and local communities by UNWTO

• Involving appreciation not only for nature, but also of indigenous cultures;
• Containing education and interpretation;
• Minimizing negative impact on the natural and socio-cultural environment;
• Providing alternative income and employment for local communities;
• Increasing local and visitor awareness of conservation.

Source: Denman Richard, “Guidelines for Community-based Ecotourism Development”, WWF International, 2001, The Tourist Company.

Supporting sustainable development

It is essential to refer to the special role of ecotourism in protected areas and their buffer zones. Economic objectives deal with building the case for sustainable economic development in the most fragile, pristine and valuable regions of the world, which helps boost the national economy, tackle unemployment and raise funds for nature and landscape protection. Town and local government authorities lying within the boundaries or in buffer zones surrounding protected areas increasingly see the benefits for the local economy and community that come from making the most of being in a unique location. According to the World Council of Protected Areas of the IUCN, protected areas as the basic tools essential for protecting biodiversity cannot be run in isolation from regional development strategies and broader policies supporting sustainable development and spatial development that impact regions where these areas are located. Managing protected spaces has to go hand in hand with creating opportunities for and meeting the needs of local communities and the society at large, which benefits indirectly from the existence of legally protected areas. It is the core idea of the document called “Parks for Life” (see below).

“Parks for Life”

In 1994 the World Council of Protected Areas of the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) developed an action plan for protected areas in Europe called “Parks for Life”. The action plan, which was founded on the premise that protected areas can only properly function if their management is tied and interlinked with regional, national and international socio-economic and political developments. In the first part of the „Parks for Life” publication, one can read about the important piece of the puzzle represented by ecotourism, because it is this form of tourism which offers „tangible benefits, if sensibly developed on or near protected areas, especially since it embraces widely recognized natural and cultural values. A healthy and attractive natural environment is essential for the sustainability in the long-term of any form of tourism”.

Empowering women

When we speak about community-based ecotourism it is important to mention its role in strengthening social equity, especially in so far as it empowers women. Ecotourism is a brilliant opportunity for women to grow both professionally and personally, while remaining a part of the local community where they live and work. Ecotourism can empower women in many ways. Its multidisciplinary concept can engage women with different skills, interests and passions. Working in an ecotourism setting can be an important added value to everyday life. Ecotourism is based on local resources, heritage, uniqueness of a place. That is why it allows women to find the sustainable livelihood that brings not only the economic benefits but also the joie de vivre and satisfaction. Ecotourism also links women with the place they live, which benefits the whole community and all its generations.

Women and ecotourism

Women are very often the natural leaders in their local society, they are very sensitive to the issues related to the environment, society, heritage, and sense of place. Ecotourism in a broad context, connected with other activities (such as sustainable farming, handicraft, art, education, etc.), can provide opportunities for women to find a sustainable way of living. Participation of women in the development of sustainable tourism industry at the local level is very diverse – from running accommodation services, cafes, restaurants, and shops, to working with handicraft, art and food processing, guiding and interpretation. Apart from running small businesses, many are involved in tourism development while working for cultural centers, municipalities, NGOs, and schools. Ecotourism can be a perfect tool to initiate women’s active participation in sustainable community development. Building international networks and projects is one of the best ways to overcome the challenges that women encounter, as it allows them to have access to more information, as well as the opportunity to show their work to broader audiences outside their local community.

“Your culture is your story”

Sustainable tourism, including ecotourism and heritage tourism, can mobilize local communities – encouraging enterprise, creating green jobs and additional revenue streams, restoring and protecting traditional vocations and styles of life. The aim is to improve the livelihoods of local residents, spreading the principles and support for sustainable tourism and making sure that various groups in the community and society at large can reap the benefits.

Promoting local products, art, handicraft and local traditions; landscape stewardship initiatives preserving the unique natural heritage; creating educational farms, thematic villages and festivals; building an offer based on storytelling and poetry, folk culture, music and deliciously varied cuisine – these are just a few of the many examples and creative ideas on how ecotourism, implemented in synergy with other forms of entrepreneurship in rural areas, can involve and support local communities while contributing to long-term economic development.

Taleb Rifai, former UNWTO Secretary, once said: Sustainable tourism can contribute to combating poverty, climate change and environmental problems as well as to supporting local communities. Your culture is your story. Travel, Enjoy, Respect… (Krakow, 3^rd International Congress on Ethics and Tourism, 2017).

Final conclusions

Most of the ecotourism community-based initiatives all around the world are still small-scale, grassroots efforts, based oftentimes on local initiatives of individual environmentally-conscious entrepreneurs, active citizen groups and NGOs, protected areas administrations or local governments who realized that only a clean natural environment may attract tourists in the long run. It is crucial to build cross-sector partnerships and quality tourism products. Community-based ecotourism initiatives should be linked to a broader strategy at the local, national and regional level. For this we need to set out national and trans-national guidelines, standards and polices for long-term development of tourism that will help balance out economic, ecological, social and spatial priorities. Ecotourism – implemented in synergy with other forms of sustainable tourism and entrepreneurship in rural areas – may become our important contribution to the preservation of heritage and landscapes, enhancing the quality of life as well as assuring a more equitable share of benefits among local communities across Europe and the world.

References:

Denman Richard, “Guidelines for Community-based Ecotourism Development”, WWF International, The Tourist Company, 2001.

Whelan Tensie, ed. “Nature tourism”, Island Press, Washington 1991.

Zaręba Dominika, „Ekoturystyka”, PWN, 4th edition, Warszawa 2020.

Zaręba Dominika, “Ecotourism development in Poland – best practices”,
in: “Ecotourism facing global challenges”, 3rdEuropean Ecotourism Conference, Społeczny Instytut Ekologiczny, Warszawa,
2015.