CHAPTER: 1

ECOTOURISM MANAGEMENT
AN OVERVIEW

Dimitrios Diamantis
THE FOUR MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THIS
CHAPTER ARE TO:
Outline the definitional perspective of
ecotourism
Overview the components of ecotourism
Discuss the ecotourism impacts (economic,
social, environmental)
Explain the marketing, demarketing and
practitioners’ aspects of ecotourism
INTRODUCTION
The popular appearance of ecotourism in the late 1960s
was treated as a panacea to all tourism-related problems in
the destination areas. Its popularity claimed to be
associated with the:
 general search for natural attractions during a holiday
eagerness to achieve sustainable development by any
means
Potential employment opportunities in natural areas
Shift towards planning in protected areas
Products with sustainable ethos
No sustainable ethos

ALTERNATIVE
Mass
Natural based tourism

Ecotourism

Other
tourism
products
Other sustainable
products
SUSTAINABILITY
 CONCEPTUAL DEFINITIONS OF
ECOTOURISM
Ecotourism was first defined as ‘traveling to
relatively undisturbed or uncontaminated
natural areas with the specific objective of
studying, admiring, enjoying the scenery and its
wild plants and animals, as well as any existing
cultural manifestations found this areas.
TRADE-OFF TECHNICAL DEFINITIONS
OF ECOTOURISM
In the very weak definition, the core emphasis could be given to the
natural-based component.
In the weak definition, the core emphasis could be given mainly to the
natural-based component and to a lesser degree on the educational
and sustainability components.
In the strong definition, a definition could stress the measurement of
the basis of ecotourism practices in both protected and non- protected
areas, which generates a high level of
education/conservation/economic/social/cultural benefit to the
destination.
In the very strong definition, all three elements should be equally
considered, but with less emphasis on the economic aspects of
ecotourism.
 COMPONENTS OF
ECOTOURISM
THE NATURAL-BASED COMPONENT
An area dedicated primarily to the protection and
enjoyment of natural or cultural heritage, to
maintenance of biodiversity, and /or maintenance of
ecological life-support services.
ACTIVITIES OF
ECOTOURISM IN A
NATURAL SETTING
Activities dependent on
nature (bird watching)
Activities enhanced by nature
(camping)
Activities where the natural
setting is incidental (swimming)
GENERALIZED TYPES OF
RECREATION ACTIVITY:
Kinetic experiences were non-
mechanically powered activities
such as hiking, diving, swimming
Situation-based experience entail
a strong association with the
destination as a unique
characteristic
A substitution or aesthetic
experience includes observation of
natural phenomena, for example
bird watching
 LOCAL ISSUES
Involvement of the host community
There are at least five areas where local people can
help to bring about nature tourism activities:
information gathering, consultation, decision making,
initiating action and evaluation
Multiplier effect increases through improved
employment and higher earnings of the local population
EDUCATIONAL IMPACTS
Education and interpretation have to be the
foundation and this should aim to include the local
community and both domestic and international
travelers
Provide onsite educational programmes at the
destinations
ECOTOURISM MANAGEMENT
CONSIDERATIONS: IMPACTS
PERSPECTIVE
Governments and non-governmental organizations around the world are
developing and promoting ecotourism in protected areas to benefit local
communities and to help preserve the environment and different ecosystems
Be integrated in the planning and development of ecotourism projects at an
early stage
Evaluation of the knowledge of ecotourism impacts can be considered by
understanding the host community’s sensitivity of the positive and negative
environmental, economical and social impacts of ecotourism
ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACTS IMPACTS
DIRECT impacts are those Ecotourism is usually
arising directly from tourist concentrated in
spending
sensitive and unique
INDIRECT impacts are those environments.
such as when a restaurant is
purchasing supplies in order
to cater to tourist
INDUCED impacts are those
such as when an employee
who works in a restaurant
buy goods and services from
wages earned
 ECOTOURISM MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS:
A MARKETING PERSPECTIVE

SOCIAL IMPACT The process of planning and

executing the conception,
People from different cultures
pricing, promotion, and
and societies meet and
distribution of ideas, goods,
especially when tourism
and services to create and
development takes place it
maintain exchanges that satisfy
becomes more noticeable
individual, organizational, and
societal goals in the systemic
context of global environment.
Four Ps- product, place, price
and promotion
ECOTOURISM MANAGEMENT
CONSIDERATIONS: A DEMARKETING
PERSPECTIVE
GENERAL DEMARKETING required when an organization wants
to shrink the level of total demand
SELECTIVE DEMARKETING required when a company wants to
discourage the demand coming from certain customer classes
OSTENSIBLE DEMARKETING involves the appearance of trying to
discourage demand as a device to actually increase it
ACTIVITY (8/16/17)
ECOTOURISM SITE IMPACTS LOCAL ISSUES
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