INTRODUCTION
Tourism is one of the industries with the fastest growth rates worldwide, both in developed and developing nations. It is recognised as a crucial driver of economic growth due to its quick returns (Li, et al, 2018). The majority of counties’ economies depend heavily on tourism. Tourism contributes 10.4% of the total gross domestic product (GDP), approximately US$ 8.8 Trillion annually, creating 319 million jobs in the world (World Travel and tourism council 2020).
Most governments regard tourism as a means of fostering economic growth, thus they often support investment in the sector (Glasson, 1999). However, tourism can also have significant negative effects on the environment, including increased water use, higher pollutant loads from trash and emissions, and direct and indirect disturbance of wildlife and plants (Fennell, 2003) potentially detracting from natural destinations’ charm and make travellers avoid polluted and otherwise damaged areas. Sustainable tourism is urgently needed and is easily accomplished through ecotourism.
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM: BALANCING ENVIRONMENT, ECONOMY, AND CULTURE
Sustainable Tourism aims to minimize the negative impacts of tourism and maximize the positive one’s. Sustainable tourism addresses the environmental, economic, and socio- cultural aspects of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.
Sustainable tourism “refers to the environmental, economic, & socio-cultural aspects of tourism development, and a suitable balance must be established between these three dimensions to guarantee its long-term sustainability” (UNWTO, 2005). In SDG target 12.b, the importance of sustainable tourism is highlighted. which aims to “create jobs and promotes local culture and products”. UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, aims to incorporate ecological and social sustainability for tourist development. In essence, sustainable tourism lowers costs, improves benefits to the environment and local populations, and can be practised without depleting the resources on which it depends. As a result, sustainable tourism has a smaller negative impact on the environment and local culture while also providing locals with income and employment. The year 2017 was designated as the “International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development” by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), which highlighted the importance of tourism in promoting inclusive growth. Sustainable tourism can provide numerous advantages to locals. Making the best use of the natural resources is connected to the economic activity. The sustainability trinity aspires for integration of economy, society, & environment, (Farrell,1999).
UNLOCKING A DESTINATION’S TRUE POTENTIAL
Boniface et al. (2016) emphasize the importance of five key elements for a tourist destination: prominent attractions; tourism-related facilities and services;
accessibility; infrastructure and political stability; and support from tourism stakeholders, local community, and tourism staff for successful management. Inventorying and summarising indicators that indicate tourism resources and infrastructures can be used to determine destination potentials (TIES, 2015).
Three components viz. attraction; marketing and tourism-related facilities/accommodation, transportation; and tourist information can be used for evaluating tourism potential (Rowe et al. 2002) however Heyns et al. (2000) identified four components: tourists; tourism products; facilities, infrastructure; and tourism organizations or facilitators.
Buhalis (2000) identified six components for evaluating elements of a tourist destination: attractions; accessibility; amenities and ancillary services; intermediaries’ packages; activities and potential for development whereas Taylor and Banda-Thol (2013) identified six criteria to evaluate the potential for tourism development viz attractions, popularity, accessibility, tourism activities, seasonality, and facilities and infrastructure. Priskin (2001) and Ashouri and Faryadih (2010) evaluated resources for nature-based tourism in Western Australia and Iran, considering attractions, accessibility, infrastructure, and environmental degradation. Rahayuningsih et al. (2016) identified three main criteria for nature-based resources for tourism development in Bogor, Indonesia: diversity of attractions and uniqueness; tourism activities; and accessibility. Heritage attractions, are evaluated by Garrod and Fyall (2000) based on factors such as conservation, accessibility, education, relevance, recreation, financial support, local community, and quality. Deng et al. (2002) evaluated natural resources for tourism using five criteria: resources, accessibility, facilities, peripheral attractions and local community.
ECOTOURISM DEFINED: NATURE-FIRST TRAVEL WITH PURPOSE
Ceballos-Lascurain was the first person to define ecotourism (1987) as “travelling to relatively undisturbed or uncontaminated natural areas with specific objectives of studying, admiring, and enjoying the scenery and its wild plants and animals, as well as any existing cultural manifestations (both past and present) found in these areas. The International Ecotourism Society claims ‘Ecotourism is a segment of sustainable tourism that focuses only on the outdoors’. Ecotourism is defined as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education” (TIES, 2022). Ecotourism must meet five interrelated criteria, according to Newsome et al. (2002), in order to be distinguished from other forms of tourism: 1. The experience must be based in nature; 2. It must be ecologically sustainable; 3. It must be educational for the environment; 4. It must be beneficial to the local community; and 5. The participant must be satisfied. The last two are ideal for all forms of tourism and together with the first three are regarded to be special to ecotourism. The goal of the ecotourism is to promote responsible and participatory tourist practises that would preserve ecology, biodiversity, and the well-being of ethnic groups while also fostering interpretation and learning experiences of nature (Fennell and Dowling,2003).
ECOTOURISM POWERS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
“Ecotourism and sustainability are linked which is consistent with how the sustainable development concept in the Brundtland Report (WCED, 1987). Resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly on 21 December 2020 focusses on ecotourism, in particular, that may support sustainable development by promoting biodiversity protection and sustainable use of natural resources, as well as by enhancing the quality of life for indigenous peoples and local communities.
Bjork (2000) outlined a number of fundamental sustainable development concepts that apply to ecotourism, including the provision of educational opportunities, planning concerns, ethical responsibilities, and community benefits.
FROM AWARENESS TO ACTION: ECOTOURISM’S ROLE IN CONSERVATION
Development and management of sustainable tourism operations in natural areas are the primary goals of ecotourism in order to support long-term ecological, environmental, socioeconomical, and welfare (Fennell,1999). Tourists that engage in ecotourism are expected to respect the area’s native plants, animals, and other inhabitants. Ecotourism can also be defined as a type of travel that involves visiting delicate, pristine, and largely unaltered natural places. It is intended as a low-impact and frequently low-scale substitute for conventional commercial tourism. Increase in environmental and cultural awareness has resulted in the expansion of ecotourism demonstrating that an ecotourism destination’s correct development will enhance the welfare of all nearby or on-site stakeholders. Additionally, the project will guarantee environmental sustainability (Situmorang et al., 2012). The Convention on Biological Diversity (2015) released a manual promoting the relationship between biodiversity and tourism, aiming to involve the private sector, local communities, and indigenous people to make tourism and biodiversity more mutually supportive and engaging.
POLICIES FOR PROTECTED AREAS AND PROSPERITY
The global tourism industry needs infrastructure, employment opportunities, and human services, ecotourism guidelines can hasten the sustainable management of natural resources and enhance the quality of livelihoods of communities in and around protected areas. A research by Forje et al. (2022) suggests creating national ecotourism-friendly policies for improving livelihoods and promoting sustainable management of natural resources. Protected areas, sustainable development, and ecotourism are intricately linked and by employing suitable ecotourism practices, well-managed protected areas can be significant for promoting sustainable development.
CONCLUSION
Ecotourism protects the environment, promotes the culture and has huge economic potential. By encouraging nature-based experiences through low-impact approaches, raising educational awareness, and benefiting the community, it supports international initiatives reflecting the Convention on Biological Diversity and the UN’s International Year of Sustainable Tourism. An effective evaluation of destination potentials, enables promoting sustainable development and optimizing local prosperity. It is crucial that planners must focus on strategies and action plans that support ecotourism promoting equitable benefit distribution, and transparent governance. Responsible ecotourism improves the quality of life, preserves indigenous knowledge and conserves biodiversity, making the travel sector a catalyst for promoting sustainable, inclusive growth.