Essay On Ecotourism

Ecotourism typically involves travel to destinations where the physical environment and cultural background are the main attractions and is meant to give tourist another view of the impact of human beings on the environment, and to foster a greater appreciation of our natural habitats. In recent years, “ecotourism has emerged as one of the fastest-growing sectors of the tourism market, influenced primarily by public demand for more environmentally and responsible tourism” (Boo, 1990, Eagles et al 1993). In addition, “ecotourism is the purposeful travel to natural areas to understand the culture and natural history of the environment; taking care not to alter the integrity of the ecosystem; producing economic opportunities that make the conservation of natural resources beneficial to local people” (Garen, 2000,221).

In this paper, we will explore the concepts of the seven distinguishing ecotourism principles, “ involvement of travel to natural destinations, minimizes impacts, builds environmental awareness, provides direct financial benefits to conservation, provides financial benefits and empowerment for local people, respects local culture, and supports human rights and democratic movements. ” (Honey, 2008), and whether the Komodo National Park (KNP) possess these characteristics to be considered an ecotourism attraction.
The KNP is Indonesia’s national park and is located between the provinces of East and West Nusa Tenggara. The park encompasses three larger islands Komodo, Padar and Rinca and other smaller islands. KNP was founded in 1980 to protect the Komodo dragon, the world's largest lizard species. Later in the years, it was dedicated to protecting other species, including marine species. In 1991 the national park was d...

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...ability in ecotourism.
In conclusion, KNP is considered an ecotourism site to a large extent as the environmental conservation progression made since many decades back has been massive and is still constantly undergoing improvements. Having pointed that out, it must also be noted that ecotourism is inherently paradoxical as the sense of exclusivity in visiting a pure environment is compromised by tourism and without proper management may destroy the very resource attracting tourists as seen from the above. Moreover, the profit-maximizing notion of the Non-Governmental Organisations, in this case TNC, might clash with the mindset of preserving the environment. Hence, it is important to strike a good balance between the two and that the Indonesian government must work hand in hand with the locals and other related partners to allow ecotourism in KNP to be sustainable.