An Evaluation of Ecotourism's Impacts in Developing Countries

This essay provides an in-depth analysis of ecotourism's effects on developing countries, examining both its positive and negative impacts. It highlights the economic benefits, such as increased foreign exchange and employment opportunities, while also addressing environmental concerns like deforestation and habitat destruction. The essay discusses ecotourism's role in conservation efforts and cultural exchange, while also pointing out the challenges of ensuring equitable distribution of benefits and preventing environmental damage. It emphasizes the need for a balanced approach that considers both economic development and environmental sustainability, concluding that a thorough understanding of the risks involved is essential for effective policy-making and community engagement in the context of ecotourism.

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Running Head: ECOTOURISM AND ITS IMPACTS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
Ecotourism and Its Impacts in Developing Countries
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ECOSYSTEM AND ITS IMPACTS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
Introduction
In a systematic study, Bauer (2017) denotes that poverty in many areas of the Global
South is the primary driver of environmental and resource degradation. The attempt of the
community to adopt socio-economic activities such as mining and agriculture among other
economic activities have been identified as the primary causes of environmental degradation
and depletion of natural resources. As a result, ecotourism and bioprospecting are pointed as
the better alternative approaches of income that can be adopted with the aim of reducing the
pressure on the natural resources. Becken (2012) argues that in case the society can generate
income from the less environmentally damaging activities that focus on the wilderness,
forests, and other natural resources, then there is a possibility of achieving sustainability. This
paper hence focuses on evaluating how ecotourism links to development and conservation
and whether the linkage is effectively robust in the attempt of achieving the set objectives.
Advantages of ecotourism
The promotion of ecotourism in the Global South has resulted into positive impacts
on both economy and the environment within the developing countries. Carter et al. (2015)
point out that ecotourism has been adopted as one of the primary justifications with the aim
of preservation of natural resources. The same study denotes that ecotourism has led to the
development of designated national protected areas putting ecotourism organizations among
the leading movements in environmental preservation. Bauer (2017) also reports that the
emphasis and programs on the need of preserving the natural environment with the aim of
promoting ecotourism has led to the widespread preservation of forests in many areas. Even
though deforestation is still a major challenge for many states in the Global South, the
adoption of ecotourism strategies have reduced the level of deforestation over time.

ECOSYSTEM AND ITS IMPACTS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
In addition of achieving the goals of environmental sustainability, (Rosaleen, 2015)
points out that ecotourism in the developing countries has led to the generation of significant
economic development in both local and national levels. The same study denotes that since
2000, economic development due to international tourism has grown from $417 million to
$737 million. It is a phenomenal growth that has made tourism be recognized as the leading
source of foreign exchange in developing countries.
Despite its moderately new rise, ecotourism is the quickest developing part inside the
tourism business – the world's biggest administration industry. This is somewhat because of
the rising number of naturally mindful people who have floated towards ecotourism, because
of its blend of one of a kind travel encounters and the fulfilment of being socially and earth
cognizant (Lisa, 2014). In particular, developing countries have turned into pioneers in the
encouraging of ecotourism, as they perceive that safeguarding characteristic assets and scenes
might be more financially savvy than clearing the land for other capital-escalated exercises,
for example, cultivating, logging, or mining (Rosaleen, 2015).While the business has
confronted challenges in orchestrating its natural standards with the developing interest for
ecotourism, alongside the enticement of benefit age, the ecological and financial favourable
circumstances of ecotourism have far surpassed these weaknesses (Kitchin, & Law, 2001).
Eco tourism gives new avenues of Employment to Local as pointed out by Carter et
al. (2015). More avenues for work are coming up in view of the growing enthusiasm of
lodgings, resorts and diverse offices outfitted with talented and arranged specialists, informed
tour guides, traders offering loads of essential things, and diners offering a variety of first
class foods. Ecotourism has conveyed out collaboration that has prompted cultural knowledge
and exchange between communities. According to Imrie (2004), eco-tourism isn't just about
examining phenomenal scenes, managing trademark resources, and enhancing the economy
of a particular region. It goes with extraordinary socio-social effects. While going to better

ECOSYSTEM AND ITS IMPACTS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
places, tourists end up interacting with the local communities, an aspect that enable them
learn new cultures. In the process, Keen, Perry, and Strand (2012) denote that there are cases
where exchange of culture has occurred such as the purchase of cultural products, talents, and
works of art. In the process, ecotourism promotes not only the conservation but economic
development, cultural exchange, and employment creation to the locals.
Disadvantages of ecotourism
Despite the advantages that a state may enjoy in adopting stable ecotourism as an
alternative source of livelihood to the communities, Carter et al. (2015) denote that it also
negative impacts towards sustainability and economic development. The study denotes that in
many cases, most of the non-local ecotourism organizations tend to achieve environmental
credibility with the Northern consumers despite the local socio-economic or environmental
benefits that accompany it. Despite the huge revenue collected by such organizations, most of
it is not shared with the locals in a sufficient manner that reduces unequal wealth distribution
or minimizes environmental degradation. Rosaleen (2015) also denotes that increase in the
revenue collected cannot effectively reduce the pressure on the environmental resources of
the revenue is only shared with the foreign companies while avoiding the local communities
who directly interact with the environment. In other words, it should be understood that
ecotourism is a by-product of development and hence requires the developmental revenue to
be accrued locally to with the aim of achieving conservation and sustainable use of
environmental resources.
According to Tumusiime and Sjaastad (2014), the environmental effects of
ecotourism development are serious and needs urgent attentions. The study denotes that is
many popular destinations, natural attractions of the areas have been destroyed due to
irrational activities and overcrowding leading to lose of aesthetic value of the areas. In

ECOSYSTEM AND ITS IMPACTS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
Philippines for instance, mining of corals and dynamiting for resort building materials has
damaged fragile corals as well as the depletion of fisheries which sustains the local
communities. Maria et al. (2011) also denotes that inadequate sewage treatment along the
costal tourism areas has led to the pollution of waterways and lagoons thus making the locals
waters unsuitable for fishing and swimming among other uses. In most of the popular resorts,
Snyman (2012) denotes that overbuilding beachfront hotels contributes to beach erosion,
disappearance of natural wetlands, and flooding. It also leads to the generation of mountains
of garbage with poor disposal means hence leading to production of bad smell that in the long
run makes the areas unsuitable for healthy living.
Ecotourism has likewise been related with the interruption smooth peaceful state of
the Wildlife (Snyman, 2012). Every sort of tourism meddles with the silent and unique
common life. Regardless of groups of progression of eco-tourism, people couldn't think less
about the trouble caused to the flying creatures and animals on account of their absurd
demands, wishes and direct. They genuinely don't make effort to wind up evidently real eco-
voyagers. It definitely powers negative effects on the environment and impacts the organic
modify. Because of developments in the natural life destinations prompts uncomfortable life
of the creatures like clamours from vehicle which will result to refinement of a few animal
categories additionally littering can likewise prompt terrible ecological impacts can likewise
make maladies the creatures.
Ecotourism has failed to meet the eco standard. As ecotourism is basically a business
industry (with the essential target of benefit expansion), there is proof of specific
organizations just "green-washing" - which is the procedure of just influencing the occasion
to show up eco-accommodating when it is in actuality not. There isn't much substance
required for an organization to term an occasion 'ecotourism' and they frequently neglect to
get investigated by buyers. For instance, a 'natural life amusement stop' is permitted to term

ECOSYSTEM AND ITS IMPACTS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
itself as being 'Eco'. There is however a call for control -, for example, a Green Star
framework, which signs to shoppers how dedicated the organization is to ecological kind
disposition (Maria et al, 2015). Due to the demand of ecotourism most companies in the
sector tend to be selfish to a level that they forgo meeting the eco standards for making
extensive profits in the expense of environ mental protection and has been a great negative
impact to the sector (Scheyvens, 2007).
Conclusion
In many studies, environmental protection has become a primary aspect of effective
developmental agenda. Eco-tourism has been adopted as a means of resolving tension and
challenges between environmental protection and development in the Global South. It has
been adopted as an alternative source of income for the Global South in the pursuit of
development, it is vital to understand that the attempt of reconciling environmental protection
goals often lead to misconception of the objectives leading to more concentration and
reduced focus on environmental stewardship. However, there are advantages and
disadvantages of adopting ecotourism. As a result, it is essential to evaluate and understand
the risks involved in the attempt of pursuing development agenda and environmental
protection, an aspect that should be considered both globally and the local communities that
directly interact with the environment.

ECOSYSTEM AND ITS IMPACTS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
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