Making ecotourism sustainable: refocusing on economic viability. Lessons learnt from the “Regional strategic action plan for coastal ecotourism development in the South Western Indian Ocean”

Ecotourism has become the focal point of a wide range of private and public sector development initiatives in the countries of the Western Indian Ocean. The 2008 “Regional Strategic Action Plan for Coastal Ecotourism Development in the South Western Indian Ocean” aimed at both a strategic assessment of current achievements and the development of recommendations for policy action. Drawing on the research data initially gathered for this report, the article demonstrates the importance of fostering criteria for ensuring medium and long-term economic viability in the assessment of sustainable ecotourism development performance, both at micro- and macro-economic levels. The arguments are presented in the form of eight lessons learnt, and the article approaches the question of economic viability at the different levels of enterprises, projects and products, and in terms of public policy and planning.     

Assessing the Role of Ecotourism Training in Changing Participants' Pro-Environmental Knowledge,Attitude and Behaviour

Ecotourism training is usually considered to be undertaken only by tourism practitioners for professional development. However, ecotourism training has a more important role to play, as it could be adopted as a long-term strategy for environmental conservation by altering people's attitudes and behaviours towards greater environmental responsibility. In this study, the role of ecotourism training with respect to pro-environmental knowledge enhancement as well as attitude and behavioural changes is investigated. A questionnaire survey was conducted on participants of an ecotourism training programme. Participants' environmental knowledge, attitudes and behaviours were evaluated using a pre- and post-test method. The results indicated that participants demonstrated a significant increase in environmental knowledge after the training. Moreover, participants' demographic characteristics such as age group, occupation and salary are significantly associated with the improvement in knowledge, change in pro-environmental attitudes and behaviours. Participants tend to adopt environmentally responsible attitudes and behaviours after completion of ecotourism training.     

Environmentally Responsible Behavior in Ecotourism: Exploring the Role of Destination Image and Value Perception

Creating more environmental awareness among tourists and inducing environmentally responsible behavior is an essential precondition for, as well as consequence of, ecotourism. The aim of this study is to explore what role destination image and value perception play in shaping environmentally responsible behavior. A survey involving 332 valid questionnaires was conducted at an ecological area in Southern Taiwan. The results of structural equation modeling show that the cognitive image of the eco-site induces environmentally responsible behavior via its affective image and tourists' perceived value. Affective image and perceived value can subsequently enhance the environmental consciousness of tourists and their specific concern for the ecological environment, thus enhancing their environmentally responsible behavior at the eco-site. With environmentally responsible behavior an essential aspect in ecotourism, this study emphasizes destination image and value perception as important antecedents to environmentally responsible behavior. The study concludes with managerial suggestions.     

森林生态旅游可持续发展评价指标体系的构建

森林生态旅游可持续发展是当今学术界及旅游管理部门关注的热点话题,科学地制定森林生态旅游可持续发展评价指标体系对实施生态旅游可持续发展战略具有重要意义.本文述评了国内外有关生态旅游评价研究的成果.构建了森林生态旅游可持续发展的评价指标体系.     

洞庭湖观鸟旅游发展现状及对策

观鸟旅游是生态旅游重要的表现形式。其经济、社会、环境效益得到了国际国内学术界的关注,洞庭湖丰富的鸟类资源是开展观鸟旅游的良好基础。文章详细分析了洞庭湖观鸟旅游资源及发展现状和面临的主要问题,并提出了相应的发展策略。     

SWOT分析在生态旅游项目中的应用

本文在对生态旅游项目进行研究的前提下,针对生态旅游中有可能出现的问题,结合王朗国家级自然保护区和雪宝顶国家级自然保护区两个实例,讨论SWOT分析在生态旅游项目中的应用,并对分析后提出的解决问题的方案和效果进行了初步研究.     

Sustainable Ecotourism in Amazonia: Evaluation of Six Sites in Southeastern Peru

It is widely assumed that ecotourism offers sustainable development opportunities in under‐developed countries, but little is known about the variables contributing to differential sustainability of multiple ecotourism ventures within a geographic region. This investigation compared differences among rainforest ecotourism sites in Tambopata, Amazonian Peru. These rainforest lodges act as stewards of the surrounding habitat. Different histories and philosophies regarding tourism resulted in varied levels of economic, social and ecological sustainability. This study quantitatively examines the differential sustainability of multiple ecotourism sites in a small geographic region. Tourism in Tambopata has a potential for sustainability of local communities and natural resources. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

自然保护区的旅游产品开发浅析——以鼎湖山生物圈保护区为例

自然保护区的旅游产品开发水平要求比一般旅游地应该更高。鼎湖山生物圈保护区在旅游产品的精品化、层次化尤其是旅游产品的绿色开发和旅游解说系统的设计方面比较成功,值得我国自然保护区在开发旅游产品时借鉴：不足之处是有城镇化与盆景化的倾向,要坚决控制。鼎湖山未来旅游产品的开发必须以生态环境保护为前提。明确产品的目标市场定位,重点开发生态旅游产品。     

生态旅游的绿色设计研究——以杭州西湖西进为例

本文以杭州西湖西进为例,阐明了发展生态旅游的关键是进行旅游区及旅游设施的绿色设计,同时指明了生态旅游绿色设计的基本原理及方法。     

中甸县发展生态旅游对策

中甸县拥有丰富的生态旅游资源,旅游业已成为该县新兴的支柱产业。但在旅游业繁荣的同时,也带来了一系列的环境问题,威胁着中甸县生态旅游业的可持续发展。本文分析了中甸县生态旅游存在的问题,并提出了相应的对策措施以确保中甸县生态旅游的可持续发展。