CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY

(CvSU)
DON SEVERINO DE LAS ALAS CAMPUS
Indang, Cavite

College of Engineering and Information Technology

First semester, Academic Year 2019-2020

CS 300:
ECOTOURISM PARK

In partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of

Bachelor of Science in Architecture on
Architectural Design VII (ARCH 170A)

Submitted by:

Dela Cruz, 201710428

Bachelor of Science in Architecture 4–1

Submitted to:

ARCH. EPITACIO A. OLEGARIO JR., uap

INSTRUCTOR • ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN VII

November 7, 2019
Contents
OVERVIEW………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
4

HISTORY……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
6
CRITERIA............................................................................................................................. 7
Terminology and history ..................................................................................................... 8
Labels and certification....................................................................................................... 9
Improving sustainability ...................................................................................................... 9
Principles .......................................................................................................................... 9
Regulation and accreditation ......................................................................................... 9
Guidelines and education ............................................................................................ 10
Small scale, slow growth and local control................................................................ 10
Efforts to preserve ecosystems at risk ....................................................................... 12
Natural resource management........................................................................................ 12
Criticism .............................................................................................................................. 13
Definition ......................................................................................................................... 13
Negative impact ............................................................................................................. 13
Direct environmental impacts ...................................................................................... 14
Environmental hazards ................................................................................................. 15
Local people ................................................................................................................... 16
Displacement of people ................................................................................................ 16
Threats to indigenous cultures .................................................................................... 17
Mismanagement ............................................................................................................ 17
Case studies .................................................................................................................. 18
1. Cogon Eco-Tourism Park ..................................................................................... 19
2. Payag sa Asinan Eco-Tourism Park .................................................................. 20
3. Masungi Georeserve .............................................................................................. 20
4. Minalungao National Park .................................................................................... 21
Image credit: JL 09........................................................................................................ 21
5. Eden Nature Park .................................................................................................... 21
6. Bakhawan Eco Park ............................................................................................... 22
7. Puerto Princesa Underground River ................................................................. 22
8. Bojo River Nature Reserve ................................................................................... 22
 9. Malasag Eco-Tourism Village and Gardens .................................................... 23
10. Lower Magat Eco-Tourism Park ....................................................................... 24
BONUS: Eco Saddle ................................................................................................... 29
11. LAWS GOVERNING ECOTOURISM
PARK........................................................................

12. STRATEGIC PLANNING OF

ECOTOURISM……………………………………………………………………

13.
REFERENCES……………………………………………………………………………………………………............
 OVERVIEW

Ecotourism is a form of tourism involving visiting fragile, pristine, and relatively

undisturbed natural areas, intended as a low-impact and often small scale alternative
to standard commercial mass tourism. It means responsible travel to natural areas,
conserving the environment, and improving the well-being of the local people. Its
purpose may be to educate the traveler, to provide funds for ecological conservation,
to directly benefit the economic development and political empowerment of local
communities, or to foster respect for different cultures and for human rights. Since the
1980s, ecotourism has been considered a critical endeavor by environmentalists, so
that future generations may experience destinations relatively untouched by human
intervention. Several university programs use this description as the working definition
of ecotourism.

Generally, ecotourism deals with interaction with biotic components of the natural
environments.[4] Ecotourism focuses on socially responsible travel, personal growth,
and environmental sustainability. Ecotourism typically involves travel to destinations
where flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions. Ecotourism is
intended to offer tourists an insight into the impact of human beings on the environment
and to foster a greater appreciation of our natural habitats.

Responsible ecotourism programs include those that minimize the negative aspects of
conventional tourism on the environment and enhance the cultural integrity of local
people. Therefore, in addition to evaluating environmental and cultural factors, an
integral part of ecotourism is the promotion of recycling, energy efficiency, water
conservation, and creation of economic opportunities for local communities. For these
reasons, ecotourism often appeals to advocates of environmental and social
responsibility.

Many consider the term "ecotourism", like "sustainable tourism", an oxymoron. Like
most forms of tourism, ecotourism generally depends on air transportation, which
contributes to global climate change. Additionally, "the overall effect of sustainable
tourism is negative where like ecotourism philanthropic aspirations mask hard-nosed
immediate self-interest
 INTRODUCTION

Eco-tourism has become very important to our society, since it deals with the
preservation of natural areas, the wellbeing of the local people and their communities.
Issue arise when there is not an adequate understanding and interconnectedness
between tourists, communities, and our environment. This conflict has been present
for years, and there is a need to inform the world about this crisis because of the
destruction of our surroundings, and our future depends on saving our planet.
Currently, people are focused on their own life routine; not considering that ahead of
us there is an issue that has been following us for such a long time, and there has been
done so little to resolve it.

The proposed concept approaches two specific aspects that are related to each other,
eco-tourism and sustainable architecture. Eco-tourism is about the care for nature,
trying to conserve our environment, with as minimal impact to our surroundings as
possible.

Sustainable architecture tries to minimize the negative environmental impact on the

environment by buildings by enhancing effi ciency and careful use of materials, energy,
and space effi ciency. In many cases however, we as designers are not aware of
“sustainable” architecture and its real meaning. With new discoveries and
technologies, we have forgotten how to build with the environment. Therefore, the main
challenge for us as designers, is to fi nd solutions which do not disturb the environment.
With this issue, my major scheme is to link these two systems that relate in a particular
way without harming our surroundings.

Ecotourism, which is also known as ecological tourism, is the responsible travel to

fragile, pristine and usually protected areas that strives to be low impact and often
small scale. ‘Eco’ is derived from the Greek word “oikos” which literally means the
habitat and is an abbreviation of the term “ecology” which is the scientific study of the
relation of living organisms to each other and their surroundings. Therefore, in this
view, ecotourism essentially means ecological tourism; where ecological has both the
environmental and social connotations.

Even though many travelers in pursuit of nature and culture already existed in the past
like Claus-Dieter (Nick) Hetzer, an academic and adventurer from Forum International
in Berkeley CA who coined the term “ecotourism” in 1965 and ran the first eco-tours in
the Yucatan during the early 1970s (Source-The Encyclopedia of Ecotourism), it was
Hector Ceballos-Lascurain, commonly known as the father of ecotourism, who
popularized the term in 1983. The reason for that was for the sake of being at one with
Mother Nature, sometimes preferably alone (Dowling R. and Page S., 2002)

Moreover, in 1987, ecotourism was made known internationally as a sign of

environmental awareness through the publication of the Brundtland Report, also
known as Our Common Future, by the United Nations Commission on Environment
and Development. And as such, the United Nations celebrated the “International Year
of Ecotourism” in the year 2002. Hence, on this basis, ecotourism attracted a number
of researchers, philosophers and related institutions who were interested in the new
emerging market
 HISTORY OF ECOTOURISM IN THE PHILIPPINES

The Philippine Department of Tourism's hat has been thrown into ecotourism game for
awhile now. They've made it part of their plan for economic development. The country's
ecotourism program strives to install processes and procedures that are economically
beneficial, socially responsible, ecologically sustainable and advantageous to the local
communities by creating jobs and improving living conditions overall. Palawan is the
second biggest province in the country in terms of land area and has been
recommended by the tourism department as the top eco-destination in the country.

The Ethics of Ecotourism in the Philippines

Around thirty percent of the people in the Philippines live in poverty, and there are 85
million people who live there. That's nearly 25.5 million impoverished and suffering
people. In 1991, the The World Trade Organization, the United Nations Development
Program along with various organization in the Philippines worked to make the the
nation a bastion of ecotourism. It wasn't until 1999, however, that an executive order
was passed that helped structure the development of ecotourism.

The Executive Order:

"The State shall develop and promote sustainable tourism while enjoining the
participation of the Filipino people in enhancing the growth and competitiveness of the
Philippine economy; and,

The State shall ensure the sustainable use, development, management, protection
and conservation of the country’s environment and natural resources and cultural
heritage for the enjoyment of the present and future generations."

That executive order lead to the development of the National Ecotourism Strategy. The
outline of this strategy includes spreading the wealth to the very impoverished rural
areas, the conservation of cultural sites, promotion of conservation awareness,
educational programs and more.

Eco-Friendly Adventures in the Philippines

There are a variety of eco-friendly activities available for the ecotourist to enjoy:
Swimming with whale sharks in the their natural environment or getting out the
binoculars and watching for the rare Philippine Eagle or 600 other varieties of birds. A
traveler can also go to a jungle environment survival training camp where he or she
can be taught to drink from a water vine, cook in a bamboo steamer and dine off a
bamboo plate.

Eco-friendly Resorts
The Department of Tourism Recommends The El Nido, Lagen and Miniloc Island
Resorts, Club Noah Isabelle and the Bohol Bee Farm. These hotels all carry out
environmentally friendly practices: Coastal clean ups, prohibiting the gathering of
shells and coral, eco-safe cleanser and many others.
 CRITERIA

Seal watching near Malusi Islands in Estonia.

Ecotourism is tourism which is conducted responsibly to conserve the environment

and sustain the well-being of local people It...

 Builds environmental awareness

 Provides direct financial benefits for conservation
 Provides financial benefits and empowerment for local people
 Respects local culture
 Supports human rights and democratic movement.] such as:
o conservation of biological diversity and cultural diversity through
ecosystem protection
o promotion of sustainable use of biodiversity, by providing jobs to local
populations
o sharing of all socio-economic benefits with local communities and
indigenous peoples by having their informed consent and participation
in the management of ecotourism enterprises
o tourism to unspoiled natural resources, with minimal impact on the
environment being a primary concern.
o minimization of tourism's own environmental impact
o affordability and lack of waste in the form of luxury
o local culture, flora, and fauna being the main attractions
o local people, who benefit from this form of tourism economically, and
often more than mass tourism

The International Ecotourism Society defines ecotourism as "responsible travel to

natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of local people,
and involves interpretation and education".

For many countries, ecotourism is not simply a marginal activity to finance protection
of the environment, but a major industry of the national economy. For example, in
Costa Rica, Ecuador, Nepal, Kenya, Madagascar and territories such as Antarctica,
ecotourism represents a significant portion of the gross domestic product and
economic activity.[8][10]
Ecotourism is often misinterpreted as any form of tourism that involves nature (see
Jungle tourism). Self-proclaimed practitioners and hosts of ecotourism experiences
assume it is achieved by simply creating destinations in natural areas. According to
critics of this commonplace and assumptive practice, true ecotourism must, above all,
sensitize people to the beauty and the fragility of nature. These critics condemn some
operators as greenwashing their operations: using the labels of "green" and "eco-
friendly”, while behaving in environmentally irresponsible ways.

Although academics disagree about who can be classified as an ecotourist and there
is little statistical data, some estimate that more than five million ecotourists—the
majority of the ecotourist population—come from the United States, with many others
from Western Europe, Canada and Australia.[8]

Currently, there are various moves to create national and international ecotourism
accreditation programs, although the process is also controversial. National
ecotourism certification programs have been put in place in countries such as Costa
Rica, Australia, Kenya, Estonia, and Sweden.[citation needed]

Terminology and history

A hanging bridge in ecotourism area of Thenmala, Kerala in India - India's first planned
ecotourism destination

Ecotourism is a late 20th-century neologism compounded from eco- and tourism.

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, ecotour was first recorded in 1973 and
ecotourism, "probably after ecotour", in 1982.[13]

 ecotour, n. ... A tour of or visit to an area of ecological interest, usually with an

educational element; (in later use also) a similar tour or visit designed to have
as little detrimental effect on the ecology as possible or undertaken with the
specific aim of helping conservation efforts.
 ecotourism, n. ... Tourism to areas of ecological interest (typically exotic and
often threatened natural environments), esp. to support conservation efforts
and observe wildlife; spec. access to an endangered environment controlled
so as to have the least possible adverse effect.

One source claims the terms were used earlier. Claus-Dieter (Nick) Hetzer, an
academic and adventurer from Forum International in Berkeley, CA, supposedly
coined ecotourism in 1965 and ran the first ecotours in the Yucatán during the early
1970s.

Labels and certification

Several ecolabels on tourism exist.]These include (but are not limited to):

 International Eco Certification Program

 European Ecotourism Labelling Standard (EETLS)
 Carbon Neutral Certification
 Eco Hotels Certified
 Green Tourism Business Scheme

Improving sustainability

Principles

Ecotourism in both terrestrial and marine ecosystems can benefit conservation,

provided the complexities of history, culture, and ecology in the affected regions are
successfully navigated.[ Catherine Macdonald and colleagues identify the factors
which determine conservation outcome, namely whether: animals and their habits are
sufficiently protected; conflict between people and wildlife is avoided or at least suitably
mitigated; there is good outreach and education of the local population into the benefits
of ecotourism; there is effective collaboration with stakeholders in the area; and there
is proper use of the money generated by ecotourism to conserve the local ecology. [
They conclude that ecotourism works best to conserve predators when the tourism
industry is supported both politically and by the public, and when it is monitored and
controlled at local, national, and international levels.

Regulation and accreditation

Because the regulation of ecotourism may be poorly implemented, ecologically

destructive greenwashed operations like underwater hotels, helicopter tours, and
wildlife theme parks can be categorized as ecotourism along with canoeing, camping,
photography, and wildlife observation. The failure to acknowledge responsible, low-
impact ecotourism puts legitimate ecotourism companies at a competitive
disadvantage.

Many environmentalists have argued for a global standard of accreditation,

differentiating ecotourism companies based on their level of environmental
commitment, creating a standard to follow. A national or international regulatory board
would enforce accreditation procedures, with representation from various groups
including governments, hotels, tour operators, travel agents, guides, airlines, local
authorities, conservation organizations, and non-governmental organizations. The
decisions of the board would be sanctioned by governments, so that non-compliant
companies would be legally required to disassociate themselves from the use of the
ecotourism brand.
Crinion suggests a Green Stars System, based on criteria including a management
plan, benefit for the local community, small group interaction, education value and staff
training. Ecotourists who consider their choices would be confident of a genuine
ecotourism experience when they see the higher star rating.

Environmental impact assessments could also be used as a form of accreditation.

Feasibility is evaluated from a scientific basis, and recommendations could be made
to optimally plan infrastructure, set tourist capacity, and manage the ecology. This form
of accreditation is more sensitive to site specific conditions.

Some countries have their own certification programs for ecotourism. Costa Rica, for
example, runs the Certification of Sustainable Tourism (CST) program, which is
intended to balance the effect that business has on the local environment. The CST
program focuses on a company's interaction with natural and cultural resources, the
improvement of quality of life within local communities, and the economic contribution
to other programs of national development. CST uses a rating system that categorizes
a company based upon how sustainable its operations are. CST evaluates the
interaction between the company and the surrounding habitat; the management
policies and operation systems within the company; how the company encourages its
clients to become an active contributor towards sustainable policies; and the
interaction between the company and local communities/the overall population. Based
upon these criteria, the company is evaluated for the strength of its sustainability. The
measurement index goes from 0 to 5, with 0 being the worst and 5 being the best.

Guidelines and education

Ecotour guide stands on a kayak spotting dolphins and manatees, around Lido Key

An environmental protection strategy must address the issue of ecotourists removed

from the cause-and-effect of their actions on the environment. More initiatives should
be carried out to improve their awareness, sensitize them to environmental issues, and
care about the places they visit.

Tour guides are an obvious and direct medium to communicate awareness. With the
confidence of ecotourists and intimate knowledge of the environment, tour guides can
actively discuss conservation issues. Informing ecotourists about how their actions on
the trip can negatively impact their environment and the local people. A tour guide
training program in Costa Rica's Tortuguero National Park has helped mitigate
negative environmental impacts by providing information and regulating tourists on the
parks' beaches used by nesting endangered sea turtles.

Small scale, slow growth and local control

The underdevelopment theory of tourism describes a new form of imperialism by
multinational corporations that control ecotourism resources. These corporations
finance and profit from the development of large scale ecotourism that causes
excessive environmental degradation, loss of traditional culture and way of life, and
exploitation of local labor. In Zimbabwe and Nepal's Annapurna region, where
underdevelopment is taking place, more than 90 percent of ecotourism revenues are
expatriated to the parent countries, and less than 5 percent go into local communities.

The lack of sustainability highlights the need for small scale, slow growth, and locally
based ecotourism. Local peoples have a vested interest in the well-being of their
community, and are therefore more accountable to environmental protection than
multinational corporations, though they receive very little of the profits. The lack of
control, westernization, adverse impacts to the environment, loss of culture and
traditions outweigh the benefits of establishing large scale ecotourism. Additionally,
culture loss can be attributed to cultural commodification, in which local cultures are
commodified in order to make a profit.[24]

The increased contributions of communities to locally managed ecotourism create

viable economic opportunities, including high-level management positions, and reduce
environmental issues associated with poverty and unemployment. Because the
ecotourism experience is marketed to a different lifestyle from large scale ecotourism,
the development of facilities and infrastructure does not need to conform to corporate
Western tourism standards, and can be much simpler and less expensive.[25] There is
a greater multiplier effect on the economy, because local products, materials, and labor
are used. Profits accrue locally and import leakages are reduced.[26] The Great Barrier
Reef Park in Australia reported over half of a billion dollars of indirect income in the
area and added thousands of indirect jobs between 2004 and 2005.[22] However, even
this form of tourism may require foreign investment for promotion or start up. When
such investments are required, it is crucial for communities to find a company or non-
governmental organization that reflects the philosophy of ecotourism; sensitive to their
concerns and willing to cooperate at the expense of profit. The basic assumption of
the multiplier effect is that the economy starts off with unused resources, for example,
that many workers are cyclically unemployed and much of industrial capacity is sitting
idle or incompletely utilized. By increasing demand in the economy, it is then possible
to boost production. If the economy was already at full employment, with only
structural, frictional, or other supply-side types of unemployment, any attempt to boost
demand would only lead to inflation. For various laissez-faire schools of economics
which embrace Say's Law and deny the possibility of Keynesian inefficiency and
under-employment of resources, therefore, the multiplier concept is irrelevant or
wrong-headed.

As an example, consider the government increasing its expenditure on roads by $1

million, without a corresponding increase in taxation. This sum would go to the road
builders, who would hire more workers and distribute the money as wages and profits.
The households receiving these incomes will save part of the money and spend the
rest on consumer goods. These expenditures, in turn, will generate more jobs, wages,
and profits, and so on with the income and spending circulating around the economy.
The multiplier effect arises because of the induced increases in consumer spending
which occur due to the increased incomes — and because of the feedback into
increasing business revenues, jobs, and income again. This process does not lead to
an economic explosion not only because of the supply-side barriers at potential output
(full employment) but because at each "round", the increase in consumer spending is
less than the increase in consumer incomes. That is, the marginal propensity to
consume (MPC) is less than one, so that each round some extra income goes into
saving, leaking out of the cumulative process. Each increase in spending is thus
smaller than that of the previous round, preventing an explosion.

Efforts to preserve ecosystems at risk

Some of the world's most exceptional biodiversity is located in the Galapagos Islands.
These islands were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979, then added
to UNESCO’s List of World Heritage in Danger in 2007. IGTOA is a non-profit
dedicated to preserving this unique living laboratory against the challenges of invasive
species, human impact, and tourism. For travelers who want to be mindful of the
environment and the impact of tourism, it is recommended to utilize an operator that is
endorsed by a reputable ecotourism organization. In the case of the Galapagos,
IGTOA has a list[ of the world’s premiere Galapagos Islands tour companies dedicated
to the lasting protection and preservation of the destination.

Natural resource management

Natural resource management can be utilized as a specialized tool for the development
of ecotourism. There are several places throughout the world where a number of
natural resources are abundant, but with human encroachment and habitats, these
resources are depleting. Without the sustainable use of certain resources, they are
destroyed, and floral and faunal species are becoming extinct. Ecotourism programs
can be introduced for the conservation of these resources. Several plans and proper
management programs can be introduced so that these resources remain untouched,
and there are many organizations–including nonprofits–and scientists working on this
field.

Natural resources of hill areas like Kurseong in West Bengal are plenty in number with
various flora and fauna, but tourism for business purpose poised the situation.
Researchers from Jadavpur University are presently working in this area for the
development of ecotourism to be used as a tool for natural resource management.

In Southeast Asia government and nongovernmental organizations are working

together with academics and industry operators to spread the economic benefits of
tourism into the kampungs and villages of the region. A recently formed alliance, the
South-East Asian Tourism Organisation (SEATO), is bringing together these diverse
players to discuss resource management concerns.

A 2002, summit held in Quebec led to the 2008 Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria–
a collaborative effort between the UN Foundation and other advocacy groups. The
criteria, which are voluntary, involve the following standards: "effective sustainability
planning, maximum social and economic benefits for local communities, minimum
negative impacts on cultural heritage, and minimum negative impacts on the
environment."]There is no enforcing agency or system of punishments.for summit.

Criticism

Definition

In the continuum of tourism activities that stretch from conventional tourism to

ecotourism, there has been a lot of contention to the limit at which biodiversity
preservation, local social-economic benefits, and environmental impact can be
considered "ecotourism". For this reason, environmentalists, special interest groups,
and governments define ecotourism differently. Environmental organizations have
generally insisted that ecotourism is nature-based, sustainably managed, conservation
supporting, and environmentally educated. The tourist industry and governments,
however, focus more on the product aspect, treating ecotourism as equivalent to any
sort of tourism based in nature. As a further complication, many terms are used under
the rubric of ecotourism.[8] Nature tourism, low impact tourism, green tourism, bio-
tourism, ecologically responsible tourism, and others have been used in literature and
marketing, although they are not necessarily synonymous with ecotourism.

The problems associated with defining ecotourism have often led to confusion among
tourists and academics. Many problems are also subject of considerable public
controversy and concern because of green washing, a trend towards the
commercialization of tourism schemes disguised as sustainable, nature based, and
environmentally friendly ecotourism. According to McLaren, these schemes are
environmentally destructive, economically exploitative, and culturally insensitive at its
worst. They are also morally disconcerting because they mislead tourists and
manipulate their concerns for the environment.] The development and success of such
large scale, energy intensive, and ecologically unsustainable schemes are a testament
to the tremendous profits associated with being labeled as ecotourism.

Negative impact

Ecotourism has become one of the fastest-growing sectors of the tourism industry,
growing annually by 10–15% worldwide.[32][full citation needed] One definition of ecotourism
is "the practice of low-impact, educational, ecologically and culturally sensitive travel
that benefits local communities and host countries".Many of the ecotourism projects
are not meeting these standards. Even if some of the guidelines are being executed,
the local communities are still facing many of the negative impacts. South Africa is one
of the countries that is reaping significant economic benefits from ecotourism, but the
negative effects far outweigh the positive—including forcing people to leave their
homes, gross violations of fundamental rights, and environmental hazards—far
outweigh the medium-term economic benefits. A tremendous amount of money and
human resources continue to be used for ecotourism despite unsuccessful outcomes,
and even more, money is put into public relation campaigns to dilute the effects of
criticism. Ecotourism channels resources away from other projects that could
contribute more sustainable and realistic solutions to pressing social and
environmental problems. "The money tourism can generate often ties parks and
managements to ecotourism".But there is a tension in this relationship because
ecotourism often causes conflict and changes in land-use rights, fails to deliver
promises of community-level benefits, damages environments, and has many other
social impacts. Indeed, many argue repeatedly that ecotourism is neither ecologically
nor socially beneficial, yet it persists as a strategy for conservation and development [
due to the large profits. While several studies are being done on ways to improve the
ecotourism structure, some argue that these examples provide a rationale for stopping
it altogether. However, there are some positive examples, among them the Kavango-
Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA) and the Virunga National Park, as
judged by WWF.[35]

The ecotourism system exercises tremendous financial and political influence. The
evidence above shows that a strong case exists for restraining such activities in certain
locations. Funding could be used for field studies aimed at finding alternative solutions
to tourism and the diverse problems Africa faces in result of urbanization,
industrialization, and the overexploitation of agriculture. At the local level, ecotourism
has become a source of conflict over control of land, resources, and tourism profits. In
this case, ecotourism has harmed the environment and local people and has led to
conflicts over profit distribution. In a perfect world, more efforts would be made towards
educating tourists of the environmental and social effects of their travels. Very few
regulations or laws stand in place as boundaries for the investors in ecotourism. These
should be implemented to prohibit the promotion of unsustainable ecotourism projects
and materials which project false images of destinations, demeaning local and
indigenous culture.

Though conservation efforts in East Africa are indisputably serving the interests of
tourism in the region it is important to make the distinction between conservation acts
and the tourism industry. Eastern African communities are not the only of developing
regions to experience economic and social harms from conservation efforts.
Conservation in the Northwest Yunnan Region of China has similarly brought drastic
changes to traditional land use in the region. Prior to logging restrictions imposed by
the Chinese Government the industry made up 80 percent of the regions revenue.
Following a complete ban on commercial logging the indigenous people of the Yunnan
region now see little opportunity for economic development. Ecotourism may provide
solutions to the economic hardships suffered from the loss of industry to conservation
in the Yunnan in the same way that it may serve to remedy the difficulties faced by the
Maasai. As stated, the ecotourism structure must be improved to direct more money
into host communities by reducing leakages for the industry to be successful in
alleviating poverty in developing regions, but it provides a promising opportunity.

Direct environmental impacts

Ecotourism operations occasionally fail to live up to conservation ideals. It is

sometimes overlooked that ecotourism is a highly consumer-centered activity, and that
environmental conservation is a means to further economic growth.
Although ecotourism is intended for small groups, even a modest increase in
population, however temporary, puts extra pressure on the local environment and
necessitates the development of additional infrastructure and amenities. The
construction of water treatment plants, sanitation facilities, and lodges come with the
exploitation of non-renewable energy sources and the utilization of already limited local
resources. The conversion of natural land to such tourist infrastructure is implicated in
deforestation and habitat deterioration of butterflies in Mexico and squirrel monkeys in
Costa Rica.] In other cases, the environment suffers because local communities are
unable to meet the infrastructure demands of ecotourism. The lack of adequate
sanitation facilities in many East African parks results in the disposal of campsite
sewage in rivers, contaminating the wildlife, livestock, and people who draw drinking
water from it.

Aside from environmental degradation with tourist infrastructure, population pressures

from ecotourism also leaves behind garbage and pollution associated with the Western
lifestyle. Although ecotourists claim to be educationally sophisticated and
environmentally concerned, they rarely understand the ecological consequences of
their visits and how their day-to-day activities append physical impacts on the
environment. As one scientist observes, they "rarely acknowledge how the meals they
eat, the toilets they flush, the water they drink, and so on, are all part of broader
regional economic and ecological systems they are helping to reconfigure with their
very activities." Nor do ecotourists recognize the great consumption of non-renewable
energy required to arrive at their destination, which is typically more remote than
conventional tourism destinations. For instance, an exotic journey to a place 10,000
kilometers away consumes about 700 liters of fuel per person.

Ecotourism activities are, in and of themselves, issues in environmental impact

because they may disturb fauna and flora. Ecotourists believe that because they are
only taking pictures and leaving footprints, they keep ecotourism sites pristine, but
even harmless-sounding activities such as nature hikes can be ecologically
destructive. In the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal, ecotourists have worn down the marked
trails and created alternate routes, contributing to soil impaction, erosion, and plant
damage. Where the ecotourism activity involves wildlife viewing, it can scare away
animals, disrupt their feeding and nesting sites, or acclimate them to the presence of
people. In Kenya, wildlife-observer disruption drives cheetahs off their reserves,
increasing the risk of inbreeding and further endangering the species.

Environmental hazards

The industrialization, urbanization and agricultural practices of human society are

having a serious impact on the environment. Ecotourism is now also considered to be
playing a role in environmental depletion including deforestation, disruption of
ecological life systems and various forms of pollution, all of which contribute to
environmental degradation. For example, the number of motor vehicles crossing a park
increases as tour drivers search for rare species. The number of roads disrupts the
grass cover, which has serious consequences on plant and animal species. These
areas also have a higher rate of disturbances and invasive species due to increasing
traffic off of the beaten path into new, undiscovered areas.[ Ecotourism also has an
effect on species through the value placed on them. "Certain species have gone from
being little known or valued by local people to being highly valued commodities. The
commodification of plants may erase their social value and lead to overproduction
within protected areas. Local people and their images can also be turned into
commodities".[34] Kamuaro points out the relatively obvious contradiction that any
commercial venture into unspoiled, pristine land inevitably means a higher pressure
on the environment.

Local people

Most forms of ecotourism are owned by foreign investors and corporations that provide
few benefits to the local people. An overwhelming majority of profits are put into the
pockets of investors instead of reinvestment into the local economy or environmental
protection leading to further environmental degradation. The limited numbers of local
people who are employed in the economy enter at its lowest level and are unable to
live in tourist areas because of meager wages and a two-market system.

In some cases, the resentment by local people results in environmental degradation.

As a highly publicized case, the Maasai nomads in Kenya killed wildlife in national
parks but are now helping the national park to save the wildlife to show aversion to
unfair compensation terms and displacement from traditional lands. The lack of
economic opportunities for local people also constrains them to degrade the
environment as a means of sustenance. The presence of affluent ecotourists
encourage the development of destructive markets in wildlife souvenirs, such as the
sale of coral trinkets on tropical islands and animal products in Asia, contributing to
illegal harvesting and poaching from the environment. In Suriname, sea turtle reserves
use a very large portion of their budget to guard against these destructive activities.

Displacement of people

One of the worst examples of communities being moved in order to create a park is
the story of the Maasai. About 70% of national parks and game reserves in East Africa
are on Maasai land. The first negative impact of tourism was the land lost from the
Maasai culture. Local and national governments took advantage of the Maasai’s
ignorance on the situation and robbed them of huge chunks of grazing land, putting to
risk their only socio-economic livelihood. In Kenya, the Maasai also have not gained
any economic benefits. Despite the loss of their land, employment favors better-
educated workers. Furthermore, the investors in this area are not local and have not
put any profits back into the local economy. In some cases, game reserves can be
created without informing or consulting the local people. They only find out when an
eviction notice is delivered. Another source of resentment is the manipulation of the
local people by their government. "Eco-tourism works to create simplistic images of
local people and their uses and understandings of their surroundings. Through the lens
of these simplified images, officials direct policies and projects towards the local people
and the local people are blamed if the projects fail" (West, 2006). Clearly, tourism as a
trade is not empowering the local people who make it rich and satisfying. Instead,
ecotourism exploits and depletes, particularly in African Maasai tribes. It has to be
reoriented if it is to be useful to local communities and to become sustainable.
Threats to indigenous cultures

Ecotourism often claims that it preserves and "enhances" local cultures. Evidence
shows that with the establishment of protected areas local people have illegally lost
their homes, and mostly with no compensation. Pushing people onto marginal lands
with harsh climates, poor soils, lack of water, and infested with livestock and disease
does little to enhance livelihoods even when a proportion of ecotourism profits are
directed back into the community. The establishment of parks can create harsh survival
realities and deprive the people of their traditional use of land and natural resources.
Ethnic groups are increasingly being seen as a "backdrop" to the scenery and wildlife.
The local people struggle for cultural survival and freedom of cultural expression while
being "observed" by tourists. Local indigenous people also have a strong resentment
towards the change, "Tourism has been allowed to develop with virtually no controls.
Too many lodges have been built, too much firewood is being used and no limits are
being placed on tourism vehicles. They regularly drive off-track and harass the wildlife.
Their vehicle tracks criss-cross the entire Masai Mara. Inevitably the bush is becoming
eroded and degraded".[36]

Mismanagement

While governments are typically entrusted with the administration and enforcement of
environmental protection, they often lack the commitment or capability to manage
ecotourism sites. The regulations for environmental protection may be vaguely
defined, costly to implement, hard to enforce, and uncertain in effectiveness.
Government regulatory agencies, are susceptible to making decisions that spend on
politically beneficial but environmentally unproductive projects. Because of prestige
and conspicuousness, the construction of an attractive visitor's center at an ecotourism
site may take precedence over more pressing environmental concerns like acquiring
habitat, protecting endemic species, and removing invasive ones. Finally, influential
groups can pressure, and sway the interests of the government to their favor. The
government and its regulators can become vested in the benefits of the ecotourism
industry which they are supposed to regulate, causing restrictive environmental
regulations and enforcement to become more lenient.

Management of ecotourism sites by private ecotourism companies offers an alternative

to the cost of regulation and deficiency of government agencies. It is believed that
these companies have a self-interest in limited environmental degradation because
tourists will pay more for pristine environments, which translates to higher profit.
However, theory indicates that this practice is not economically feasible and will fail to
manage the environment.

The model of monopolistic competition states that distinctiveness will entail profits, but
profits will promote imitation. A company that protects its ecotourism sites is able to
charge a premium for the novel experience and pristine environment. But when other
companies view the success of this approach, they also enter the market with similar
practices, increasing competition and reducing demand. Eventually, the demand will
be reduced until the economic profit is zero. A cost-benefit analysis shows that the
company bears the cost of environmental protection without receiving the gains.
Without economic incentive, the whole premise of self-interest through environmental
protection is quashed; instead, ecotourism companies will minimize environment
related expenses and maximize tourism demand.[8]

The tragedy of the commons offers another model for economic unsustainability from
environmental protection, in ecotourism sites utilized by many companies. Although
there is a communal incentive to protect the environment, maximizing the benefits in
the long run, a company will conclude that it is in their best interest to utilize the
ecotourism site beyond its sustainable level. By increasing the number of ecotourists,
for instance, a company gains all the economic benefit while paying only a part of the
environmental cost. In the same way, a company recognizes that there is no incentive
to actively protect the environment; they bear all the costs, while the benefits are
shared by all other companies. The result, again, is mismanagement.

Taken together, the mobility of foreign investment and lack of economic incentive for
environmental protection means that ecotourism companies are disposed to
establishing themselves in new sites once their existing one is sufficiently degraded.

In addition, the systematic literature review conducted by Cabral and Dhar (2019) have
identified several challenges due to slow progression of ecotourism initiatives such as
(a) economic leakages, (b) lack of government involvement, (c) skill deficiency among
the local communities, (d) absence of disseminating environmental education, (e)
sporadic increase in pollution, (f) conflict between tourism management personnel and
local communities and (g) inadequate infrastructure development.

Case studies

The purpose of ecotourism is to engage tourists in low impact, non-consumptive and

locally oriented environments in order to maintain species and habitats — especially
in underdeveloped regions. While some ecotourism projects, including some found in
the United States, can support such claims, many projects have failed to address some
of the fundamental issues that nations face in the first place. Consequently, ecotourism
may not generate the very benefits it is intended to provide to these regions and their
people, and in some cases leaving economies in a state worse than before.

The following case studies illustrate the rising complexity of ecotourism and its impacts,
both positive and negative, on the environment and economies of various regions in
the world.
 ECOTOURISM PARK IN THE PHILIPPINES SAMPLE

Teach appreciation and conservation of nature to your kids by visiting these beautiful
eco-tourism parks in the Philippines!

In the recent years, the Philippines has been aggressively promoting many of its
natural attractions and green spaces to both local and foreign tourists. Eco-tourism
parks have been sprouting all over the country and it’s great as they help promote
the unspoilt beauty of a place and boost the local economy.

More importantly, bringing your kids to eco-tourism parks encourages them to

connect with nature and be more appreciative of the beauty around them. So, the
next time you decide to bring your family somewhere new, be sure to visit any one of
these eco-parks.

1. Cogon Eco-Tourism Park

Image cre\dit:
Dipolog.com

This eco-tourism park is a sprawling 344 hectares of rest area and preserved forest.
Established in 1958, the park undergoes massive tree planting each year which is
why it is currently home to several species of mature trees. Field trips and outdoor
activities are common in the park, making it the perfect place for outdoor lovers to
visit.

Address: Barangay Cogon, Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte

2. Payag sa Asinan Eco-Tourism Park

Image credit: Pam Baroro

The Payag sa Asinan is a mangrove park found in the island of Olango in Cebu. The
only accommodation available in the park are tents, which are available for rent or
you can also bring your own. You can go kayaking around the mangrove plantation,
feed the fish, eat endless plates of seafood, watch the birds or just bask under the
sun.

Address: Sabang, Asinan, Olango Island, Lapu-Lapu City

3. Masungi Georeserve

Image credit: Masungi

Georeserve

The Masungi Georeserve features giant hammocks and huge spider webs on top of
jagged rock formations and provides the best unobstructed view of the Sierra Madre
mountains. This park might be more fit for families who can endure 3 to 4 hours of
rugged trails and rope courses. Children below 12 years old are not allowed to get
inside for safety reasons.

Address: KM45 Marcos Highway, Baras, Riza

4. Minalungao National Park

Image credit: JL 09

If you are looking for a place to cool off and enjoy peace and quiet, head over to the
Minalungao National Park in Nueva Ecija. The park was declared a protected area in
1967 and features a clean river and beautiful rock formations. You can also follow the
limestone walls on either side, which both leads to a cave. However, if you would
rather not risk it with your kids, you can just stay take a dip in its shallow but clean
and refreshing waters.

Address: General Tinio (previously Papaya), Nueva Ecija

5. Eden Nature Park

Image credit: Hey, Miss

Adventures!

This mountain resort located 3,000 feet above sea level is actually 95 percent man-
made. In 1971, the resort was a logged-over area that was slowly turned into a cool
forest after thousands of pine trees were planted. Today, this 80-hectare property is
home to more than 100,000 pine trees. It also has a mini zoo, zip lines, a fishing
village, hiking trails, swimming pools and many more.
Address: Bo. Eden, Toril, Davao City

6. Bakhawan Eco Park

Image credit:
Paolobon140

Bakhawan, which means mangroves in the local dialect, was a project started in
1990 to reforest the muddy shoreline of Barangay New Buswang in Aklan. The
reforestation was initiated in order to prevent flood and storm surges that affect the
local communities. Today, it has become among the most visited local attractions in
Kalibo and a source of livelihood for many locals. The eco-tourism park features a
1.3-kilometre bamboo trail, several species of mangrove trees, birds and marine life.

Address: Kalibo, Aklan

7. Puerto Princesa Underground River

Image credit: Hey, Miss Adventures!

Established in 1999, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park features
the 8.2-kilometre underground section of the Cabayugan River with a cave dome as
high as 300 metres above the water. It was also considered a UNESCO World
Heritage Site in 1999 and in 2012, it made to the list of the New 7 Wonders of
Nature. Kids below two years old are not allowed to get inside the underground river.

Address: Puerto Princesa, Palawan

8. Bojo River Nature Reserve

 Image credit: Hey, Miss
Adventures!

Looking much like the limestone wall formations in Coron is the Bojo river mouth in
Aloguinsan, Cebu. The mangroves in the area used to be cut to sell as charcoal but
upon realising the beauty of the place, it took a lot of team effort from the local
community to make sure that it stays preserved. A visit to the place includes strolling
along their boardwalk and hopping on board a boat to get to the mouth of the river.
An eco-adventure tour in the area also includes a visit to other nearby attractions

9. Malasag Eco-Tourism Village and Gardens

Image credit: Out of Town

Blog

This eco-tourism village and gardens was started in 1991 and was inspired by the
gardens in Granada, Spain and the Butchart Gardens of Canada. But beyond its
botanical garden setting, it also features several learning centres such as on the flora
and fauna in Northern Mindanao. Guests may also stay overnight in the park through
any of its many rooms, cottages and campgrounds and enjoy the swimming pool.

Address: Malasag Hill, Cugman, Cagayan de Oro City

10. Lower Magat Eco-Tourism Park

Image credit: Judgefloro

The 1120-hectare park is located on the lower portion of the Magat River in Cagayan
Valley, thus its name. It is a beautiful place found in the heart of the forest, and
provides native lodging houses, a swimming pool and several other facilities for its
guests. The park also has a lake within its vicinity as well as hiking trails for bird
watching, mountain biking trails and camping grounds for adventure-loving families.

Address: Diadi, Nueva Vizcaya

BONUS: Eco Saddle

If you are looking for a little piece of heaven just a few hours away from Manila, this
is the perfect getaway for you and your family. This eco-park features a floating
cottage on the famous Caliraya Lake. Adventurous activities such as kayaking, jet
skiing, swimming, kitesurfing and ATV riding are also available. You can stay in any
of their cottages or camp for free, but you have to pay the entrance fee of ₱40 per
person for a day trip and ₱80 for an overnight stay, charged by the baranggay.
 REFERENCES

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecotourism

https://www.tripzilla.com/eco-tourism-parks-
philippines/41908?fbclid=IwAR2f4ZAPRVnku-
5puBZT1Ipp8yahzLMtBuWl0fvFwqcwUQppjHFlRhKIp3w

https://www.tripzilla.com/eco-tourism-parks-
philippines/41908?fbclid=IwAR2f4ZAPRVnku-
5puBZT1Ipp8yahzLMtBuWl0fvFwqcwUQppjHFlRhKIp3w