Ecotourism Case Study

Options Identified in the Literature for Approaching the Problem

Option 1: The importance of preventive measures and sustainability planning in tourism development. Control policies (taxes and regulations) should be used to protect the environment against negative influences of tourism development.

Option 2: The demand for continuous monitoring and managing negative impacts. The necessity of a measurement and assessment standard for auditing environmental impact

Option 3: Social awareness is the key to balance tourism development and sustainable preservation

Option 4: Sustainable models of tourism, especially ecotourism, should be a part of a preservation strategy in order to maximize their environmental benefits.

Summary of the Literature

The authors used incidents and case studies to identify these two levels. First, collective actions of tourism industry increased marine litter (including oil spillages and garbage), reduced biodiversity or extinction, and disturbed wildlife. The authors showed that even behaviors such as intertidal trampling and beach-cleaning also have damaging effects on coastal ecology. Second, individual actions of tourists can directly cause physical harm or kill sea creatures. The report suggested that these two impacts still need testing with scientific

H., & Moscardo, G. (2005). Understanding the Impact of Ecotourism Resort Experiences on Tourists’ Environmental Attitudes and Behavioural Intentions. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 13(6), 546-565.

The research study examined potential benefits of ecotourism on the environment in Australia. Using one group pre post-test design, the authors collected information about attitudes, knowledge and behaviors of tourists through surveys. The results showed a significantly positive link between ecotourism activities and indirect environmental benefits such as improved awareness, attitudes and behaviors. As a result, the author suggests that ecotourism activities can be used to educate visitors about sustainable preservation.

Pickering, C. M., & Hill, W. (2007). Impacts of recreation and tourism on plant biodiversity and vegetation in protected areas in Australia. Journal of Environmental Management, 85(4), 791-800.