The International Year of Ecotourism

Ecotourism has increased in importance over the past decade, as nations have begun to recognize the ecological and social costs of traditional tourism. Damage to waterways, beaches, wildlife, and plant life combined with the exploitation of indigenous peoples has created mostly negative ecological assessments for this industry. As a result, many nations are turning towards traditional tourism's alternative - ecotourism. This movement blends the economic benefits of traditional tourism with the sustainability and respect of the major environmental movements. Through responsible tours which respect both the environment and local communities, an appreciation of biodiversity and the natural environment is gained. Governments, as well as intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, have recently combined to ensure this industry develops correctly, with the negative attributes of traditional tourism minimized.

The ecotourism movement received a major boost in 1998 from the United Nations General Assembly. Reaffirming the Economic and Social Council's (ECOSOC) resolution of July 30, 1998(1) calling for an International Year of Ecotourism (IYE), the General Assembly declared that 2002 would receive that moniker.(2) This designation will allow UN organizations to focus on ecotourism programs already in place, consolidate the tools and frameworks these programs are using, and create a more maintainable environment for the industry to thrive. As the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) notes on its ecotourism website, "this means maximizing the economic, environmental, and social benefits from ecotourism, while avoiding its past shortcomings and negative impacts."(3) ECOSOC's resolution tied the strengthening of the ecotourism industry to success for sustainable development as a whole, noting that this would ensure, "that travel and tourism provide a source of income for many people; that travel and tourism contribute to the conservation, protection, and restoration of the Earth's ecosystem; that international trade in travel and tourism services takes place on a sustainable basis; and that environmental protection is an integral part of tourism development."(4) The IYE declaration contributed to the development of ecotourism through programs and activities throughout the year, the dissemination of pertinent information to all IGO's and NGO's, and a World Ecotourism Summit in Quebec, Canada.

The two UN organizations responsible for leading the IYE were UNEP and the World Tourism Organization (WTO). Together, the two organizations created awareness among governments, tourism groups, and consumers while promoting ecotourism worldwide. This was done through a variety of UNEP and WTO programs, conferences, and seminars leading up to the World Ecotourism Summit. UNEP and WTO coordinated many of these programs with The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), the largest IGO associated with ecotourism. Conferences were held in places ranging from Europe and Central and South America to Southeast Asia, East Africa, and the small island state of Seychelles. Each event was intended as a regional workshop for nations to better develop their tourism infrastructures to better comply with ecological, economical, and humanitarian concerns. In addition, a web-based conference, managed by Planeta.com, was staged to include those parties unable to attend one of the regional programs. Finally, both UNEP and the WTO published numerous readily-available documents, brochures, and guidebooks on the subject. The overriding goal for IYE was worldwide dissemination of ecotourism information and aid, regardless of location.

The culmination of the preparatory programs was the World Ecotourism Summit, held May 19-22, 2002 in Quebec, Canada. 1,169 delegates from 132 countries, as well as numerous other representatives from NGO's, IGO's, public and private sectors, and research institutions, met to mark the event. After four days of meetings and events, the delegates produced the Quebec Declaration on Ecotourism, an official UN document which serves as a guideline for the successful implementation of ecotourism, including specific instructions for stakeholder nations. The Declaration documented the shortcomings of traditional tourism, as well as the potential problems ecotourism can bring (i.e. mismanagement and poor planning leading to further destruction of natural areas and impoverishment of local communities). It also created specific recommendations for ecotourism planning at all levels - national/local governments (drafting legislation promoting sustainable development and protection of natural resources, including the necessary infrastructure and funding to assure successful implementation), the private sector (ensuring profitability for businesses and local communities by minimizing intrusive activities, using local products and services, and cooperating with governments), NGO's and academic/research institutions (disseminating research information to decision-makers), IGO's (develop international standards and create mechanisms to channel funds to the appropriate agencies), local communities (develop strategies to ensure collective benefits for ecotourism activities, including the strengthening of local industries), and the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg (integrate ecotourism into WSSD agenda).(5) The summit participants agreed to work to incorporate the Declaration around the world through further seminars and workshops.

At the conclusion of IYE, UNEP put forth three conclusions of the events of the year. First, it noted that ecotourism had been "established as a politically valuable concept. Over 50 countries have developed special policies and strategies focused on ecotourism at national level." The overwhelming success of the World Ecotourism Summit (measured by attendance and participation at the event) was given as a positive sign of ecotourism's increased relevance. Additionally, a "global network of specialists and practitioners" has been created and regularly contributes to the tourism industries in ecotourism hot spots. Second, UNEP acknowledged that "ecotourism has mixed reviews." While sustainable management leads to increased conservation, poverty alleviation, and increased benefits to indigenous and local communities, "evidence suggests that 'greenwashing' exists and the term 'ecotourism' has been abused." Finally, UNEP observed that "tourism is now acknowledged as a global economic driver," noting that ecotourism principles need to be applied to take advantage of this reality.(6)

The IYE provided the guidelines and strengthening frameworks necessary to propel the ecotourism industry. The UNEP's third conclusion is perhaps its most important. Ecotourism is often situated in developing nations; in the small developing island states, tourism is usually the number one industry. For ecotourism to become a sustainable industry, stakeholder nations must be able to see the economic advantage to eschewing traditional tourism. The key element of IYE was the regional conferences. Through these workshops, stakeholder nations received specific instruction on how to implement sustainable ecotourism practices. This grassroots-style activism not only provided the necessary information and incentives for these nations, but helped localize the ecotourism movement. UNEP notes that many prominent biodiverse ecotourism stakeholder nations, including Costa Rica, Australia, Brazil, Ecuador, Bulgaria, Seychelles, South Africa, and Kenya, have adopted and implemented successful ecotourism strategies as a result of IYE instruction.(7)

However, UNEP's "greenwashing" warning is an apt one. Under the guise of "ecotourism," nations can reap further money while continuing the negative aspects of traditional tourism. The nature of ecotourism can actually increase the potential ecological dangers due to the immersion into biodiverse areas. Mismanagement or lack of proper funding and guidance can lead to the traditional tourism problems. Lisa Mastny notes in Foreign Affairs instances where locals have been displaced in favor of "ecotourism" developments, especially in the Philippines.(8) This ecotourism free-riding is detrimental to the industry as a whole because it places the legitimacy of ecotourism projects in doubt and encourages more free-riding, especially if it is shown to be economically viable to do so. For ecotourism to survive and be implemented globally, a system of self-policing combined with a watchdog organization (UN or otherwise) needs to be present. This will ensure that those nations promoting "ecotourism" vacations are following the guidelines outlined in the Quebec summit.

Ecotourism has presented itself as a viable alternative to traditional tourism. In its purest form, ecotourism avoids the ecological destruction and impoverishment of traditional tourism, while providing added aesthetic and economic benefits to all involved. The IYE helped implement guidelines worldwide to ensure ecotourism remains as close to its purest form as possible. The activities leading up to the World Ecotourism Summit provided the framework for the industry to thrive. Continued emphasis on sustainable and eco-tourism by the international community will keep the industry economically and ecologically viable for years to come, and keep it from falling into traditional tourism pitfalls.

(1)http://www.un.org/documents/ecosoc/res/1998/eres1998-40.htm
(2)http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/sdissues/tourism/tourgoph1.htm
(3)http://www.uneptie.org/pc/tourism/documents/ecotourism/iye_leaflet_text.pdf
(4)http://www.un.org/documents/ecosoc/res/1998/eres1998-40.htm
(5)http://www.uneptie.org/pc/tourism/documents/ecotourism/WESoutcomes/Quebec-Declar-eng.pdf
(6)http://www.uneptie.org/pc/tourism/ecotourism/outcomes.htm
(7)http://www.uneptie.org/pc/tourism/ecotourism/outcomes.htm
(8)Mastny, Lisa, "Ecotourist Trap," Foreign Affairs, Nov-Dec 2002, p. 94.