Chapters authored
Role of Ecotourism in Sustainable Development
This chapter examines ecotourism as responsible travel to natural areas. Climate change issue or more succinctly global warming has brought ecotourism to the front burner of conservation in twenty-first century. It involves economic development and conservation to ensure sustainable development. Natural resources are the focal point in ecotourism with the broad division into renewable and non-renewable natural resources. The non-renewable resources are the physical attractions which are abiotic that are formed through geological processes, and renewable resources are biotic that are capable of regeneration through reproduction. These resources are also referred to as environmental resources. The interaction among biodiversity ensures a good sightseeing for tourists which encourages visitors to make payment for conservation because of utility derived. Thus, ecotourism has two arms in conservation, the willingness to pay (WTP) on the part of tourists and the willingness to accept if the locals must surrender their rights and privileges over land areas accommodating biodiversity and their habitats. Therefore, the instrument mostly used in evaluating ecotourism is contingent valuation though with some reservations. Ecotourism thus manages people, resources and protects the environment to reduce the effect of climate change and promote sustainable development.
Part of the book: Sustainable Management of Natural Resources