Ecotourism and Natural Resource Protection

Abstract

AbstractThe growth of special interest tourism, or ecotourism, brings with it several concerns associated with the protection of the natural areas and features to which these types of tourists are drawn. In this paper, the concept of ecotourism is examined first as a form of alternative tourism, then case study examples are described that exemplify the special concerns for the natural resource base of host nations, and a profile of Canadian ecotourists to Costa Rica is presented as an illustration, their unique behaviours and expectations. Finally, the implications of ecotourism for host nations and for ecotourists are discussed emphasising the need to develop a management strategy that both protects the natural resource base of the host nation and provides the types of experiences that ecotourists expect from their visit.