Ecotourism is a kind of tourism

Major Case Study Report

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nIntroduction

nEcotourism is a kind of tourism that involves natural tourists sites such as visiting parks, fishing, hunting, hiking, camping, stargazing, photography and bird watching. Eco-tourists have more interests on natural diversity and resources. In addition, this form of tourism utilizes other products and services that are associated to natural sites (Newsome, Moore & Dowling, 2012). Australia is one of the leading tourist destinations in the world for ecotourism. Between 2012 and 2013, the country received more than 3.7 million global tourists, which accounted for approximately 63 per cent of all international visitors. Australias Great Barrier Reef (GBR) and Wet Tropics are World Heritage Sites. Reports show that these sites are important for ecotourism in the country. However, ecotourism has significant economic, sociocultural and environmental impacts on the ecosystems. GBR is the biggest ecosystem of coral reefs in the world and it is occupied by a variety of habitats, animals and plants (Authority, 2012). Similarly, Wet Tropics ecosystems are unique sites because of their biodiversity. The paper will analyse Australias ecotourism in GBR and Wet Tropics in order to explain its economic, sociocultural and environmental impacts as well as ways on achieving sustainability goals.

nEconomic Impacts

nAustralian ecotourism provides a wide range of economic impacts in the country in terms of jobs, income and sales. Various stakeholders are involved in ecotourism such as local communities, managers of natural sites and operators (Stoeckl, et al., 2011). All these stakeholders are concerned to gain economic benefits via jobs, fee revenues or sales (Economics, 2013). Some of the economic benefits are gained via user fees. In Australia, World Heritage Area ecotourism sites such as Wet Tropics and Great Barrier Reefs generated AU$2 billion and AU$6 billion respectively in 2010 (Economics, 2013). A study by the Authority, (2012) noted that eco-tourist sites contributed to approximately 8 per cent of GDP in the country. The findings of this study also pointed out that ecotourism at these sites is worthy more than AU$30 billion (Authority, 2012). Therefore, studies show that the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics ecotourism sites generate highest economic advantages in the country.

nOther economic benefits of ecotourism sites in Australia include employment opportunities. Research shows that Wet Tropics and Great Barriers contribute to 7 per cent of the total employment opportunities in these regions (Stoeckl, et al., 2011). The indigenous and non-indigenous people are able to gain extra income since they work as tourist guides at these ecotourism sites when they ferry visitors using their boats (Coghlan, 2012). In addition, local people help the tourists particularly in late afternoon and early morning when they want they want to engage in bird watching activities. According to Lee, (2013), Aboriginals should not be exempted from these tourist sites because they can limit the accessibility of tourists. Other persons who benefit from job opportunities include tour operators who manage travel companies (Lee, 2013). Moreover, managers and staff of hotels, and park managers also benefit from job opportunities.

nHowever, these impacts can be categorized into three: induced, indirect and direct impacts. For instance, direct impacts occur from spending of tourists, especially at hotels and lodgings. On the other hand, the hotels purchase services and goods from other dealings hence producing indirect impacts (Buckley, 2012). Furthermore, the hotel staffs spend most of their wages to purchase different services and goods, which contribute to, induced economic impacts.

nNegative economic impacts of ecotourism in the Wet Tropics and Great Barrier Reefs take place when the local communities are excluded from these sites, which lead to loss of employment and income (Pabel & Coghlan, 2011). Ultimately, the ecotourism sites lose the local support, which can produce negative effects in the economy as the access to tourist sites is denied (Economics, 2013). Moreover, it can lead to leakages in case the industry uses services and goods from outside the local area.

nEconomic Sustainability

nThe government of Australia has implemented a number of crucial strategies aiming to optimize the positive economic impacts of ecotourism in the Wet Tropics and Great Barrier Reefs. For instance, some of strategies, which have been employed, include ecotourism certification, and diversification of the ecotourism products (Authority, 2012). Ecotourism certification in Australia has been adopted to ensure that economic activities at these sites are sustainable. In particular, ecotourism operators are required to acquire ecotourism certification to ensure that they apply sustainable economic behaviors (Spenceley & Bien, 2013). Through certification programs, different sets of designed criteria that include economic sustainability strategies are incorporated. In this regard, the economic dimensions in the ecotourism certification ensure that the local community groups are employed in the ecotourism sector (Lee, 2013). Furthermore, the ecotourism stakeholders are required to prove that they have met all conditions prior to certification.

nThere are many benefits of ecotourism certification to the operators. For instance, the certified operators are able to acquire great economic advantages since they are offered opportunities for marketing (Kiper & Sağlam, 2011). Similarly, it helps them to get easier ways of benefiting from new technical assistance. According to Buckley, (2012) ecotourism certificates are important in economic sustainability because they foster a sense of responsibility among stakeholders of ecotourism sites in the business operations (Buckley, 2012). Therefore, using sustainable business behaviors and practices has the ability to contribute to positive effects on the economic operations in the Wet Tropics and Great Barrier Reefs (Stoeckl, et al., 2011).

nIn addition, the Australian government has initiated various initiatives that encourage collaborations among the major stakeholders in its ecotourism sectors in order to promote economic sustainability. Through private-public partnerships, the government seeks to expand positive economic impacts of ecotourism (Lee, 2013). In addition, they play a role in safeguarding strong economic ties, which appreciate mutual objectives. In Australia private-public partnerships in tourism sector contribute to promotional, and financial benefits between the local communities, government and private operators (Mowforth & Munt, 2015). Ultimately, it leads to improvements of jobs to the local community, higher rate of sales revenue as well as more income alternatives for the local people. In addition, through these strategies the government ensures that negative economic impacts such as loss of jobs and leakages are minimized (Newsome, Moore & Dowling, 2012). Buckley, (2012) argued that collaborations are an association that encompasses information, support, work, and power sharing between various partners for mutual and shared benefits. Partnerships in ecotourism are identified as a means of cooperation, which leads to long-term economic advantages (Buckley, 2012).

nThe Australian government uses partnerships in ecotourism sector to minimize cost and risks in the industry through support of the financial resources. Research by Kiper & Sağlam, (2011) noted that private-public partnerships are beneficial in ecotourism because they accomplish economies of scale and huge efficiency levels. Similarly, the findings of this study revealed that private-public partnerships have the ability to enhance complementarity and interdependency as well as commitment and trust (Kiper & Sağlam, 2011). Therefore, through private-public partnerships, various stakeholders in the Wet Tropics and Greet Barrier Reefs ecotourism sites are able to implement sustainable sources of income since there is a trusting and open environment (Authority, 2012). Most importantly, all stakeholders have a sense of mutual responsibility to meet the economic needs of all concerned parties (Spenceley & Bien, 2013).

nMoreover, the Australian department of tourism has established diversification strategies in order to improve the marketability of ecotourism products. In addition, the diversification measures are intended to reinforce the approaches of enhancing quality of the local ecotourism products and services (Buckley, 2012). In this regard, the local services and products are aligned to meet the demands of the markets. Via these strategies, the government in collaboration with private investors has trained the ecotourism stakeholders, especially in the Wet Tropics and Greet Barrier Reefs on various ways to diversify their products and services in order to multiply their economic benefits through new income creation (Economics, 2013).

nFurthermore, the ecotourism operators are able to offer high-quality services and experiences to the tourists. A research by Mowforth & Munt, (2015) noted that diversification of ecotourism products and services has a wide range of economic benefits since they are able to establish new innovative products and services to meet the changing tourists demands in the market (Mowforth & Munt, 2015). In addition, they are able to gain income from areas and markets that were not previously explored or utilized. The findings of this study are consistent with Coghlan, (2012) arguments who suggested that diversification in ecotourism sectors helps stakeholders to benefit from new products and activities in case of changes in the needs and desires of traditional tourists (Coghlan, 2012).

nSociocultural Impacts

nSince Wet Tropics and Great Barrier Reefs are destinations of many domestic and international tourists, socio-cultural effects are more likely to be identified in the social structures. The Aboriginal people living near these sites of Australian ecotourism are more likely to suffer from both positive and negative sociocultural effects. In this regard, some of the cultures in the local people have changed (Authority, 2012). For instance, direct and indirect interactions between the tourists and Aboriginal people generate a variety of impacts in the society. In most cases, the local communities living near Great Barrier Reefs and Wet Tropics are more likely to acquire new behaviors, cultures and traditions (Pabel & Coghlan, 2011). However, a study by Donohoe, (2011) highlighted that the social impacts of ecotourism are hard to determine or identify (Donohoe, 2011).

nA report by Ballantyne & Packer, (2013) indicates that tourism has positive sociocultural impacts to the Aboriginal people near Wet Tropics and Great Barrier Reefs. For instance, the ecotourism also involve studying the Indigenous groups culture. Consequently, the indigenous people have a feeling of respect and appreciations towards their social structures and culture (Ballantyne & Packer, 2013). Through cultural protocols, the indigenous people also receive social benefits because it increases interaction between tourists and local populations (Lee, 2013). In this regard, tourisms contribute to a sense of community pride because they affirm special cultural values. Through this interaction, the Indigenous people are motivated to practice their traditional values and attitudes (Torres-Sovero, González, Martín-López & Kirkby 2012). Consequently, ecotourism strengthens the Indigenous culture in communities living near Wet Tropics and GBR areas.

nHowever, the ecotourism is a source of negative effects on Indigenous culture because they interrupt their culture. In most cases, international tourists visit areas in Wet Tropics and Great Barrier Reefs, which causes changes in the traditional knowledge of Aboriginals (Coria & Calfucura, 2012). Furthermore, the tourists contributed to changes in the manner in which traditional properties were viewed and utilized hence distorting their cultural values (Donohoe, 2011).

nSociocultural Sustainability

nThe Australian Department of tourism implements various strategies to reduce negative effects of Aboriginal sociocultural structures and enhance positive social outcomes. In particular, it has embraced joint-partnerships, and training the Indigenous communities (Coghlan, 2012). The joint-partnerships between the Aboriginal people living near Wet Tropics and Great Barrier Reefs help to strengthen sustained interactions between the stakeholders in ecotourism sector. In addition, all people involved in ecotourism in these World Heritage sites start working to meet mutual goals. According to Torres-Sovero, González, Martín-López & Kirkby (2012), joint-partnerships between the government and Aboriginal people in Australia helps to establish integrity and trust. Through this strategy, the Aboriginal people have formulated cultural protocols, which seek to provide guidance on how tourists should engage or visit their cultural sites (Torres-Sovero, González, Martín-López & Kirkby 2012). In addition, the community also demands that tour guides and operators should be persons who understand Aboriginal cultural and social backgrounds. In addition, joint-partnership strategies have promoted representative and effective employment of Aboriginals in Wet Tropics who are engaged in cultural protocols. Therefore, they participate in governance of cultural geographies and histories by collaborating with network of tourist organisations (Mowforth & Munt, 2015).

nAdditionally, the Australian government has allowed the Aboriginal elders to provide guidance and leadership in ecotourism in order to strengthen the indigenous social and cultural structures in the Wet Tropics and Great Barrier Reefs (Pabel & Coghlan, 2011). The strategy is more beneficial because it helps to mobilize local people to support these initiatives. Similarly, local leaders play a central role in ensuring that the local people are proud of their sociocultural settings and that they do not feel intimidated by tourists (Fennell, 2014). Furthermore, joint-partnership strategies are beneficial in the promotion of the local culture and social settings because it attempt to incorporate and respect indigenous values and knowledge in respect to ecotourism in Wet Tropics and Great Barrier Reefs (Mowforth & Munt, 2015).

nAccording to Kiper & Sağlam, (2011), joint-partnership in ecotourism is advantageous in protection of indigenous culture because it enhances engagement between tourists and local people for easier decision-making (Kiper & Sağlam, 2011). Other scholars also argued that these strategies help in development of arrangement that create innovative, collaborative governance of the Wet Tropics and Great Barrier Reefs. Most importantly, these strategies help to recognize indigenous diversity. There are many ethnic groups of Aboriginal community living near these sites (Buckley, 2012). Therefore, some have diverse cultural orientations with the tourist sites. In this regard, local joint-partnership facilitates consultations in order to avoid conflicts between the local communities. Moreover, there is an honest, continuous and effective communication with the local communities. Another researcher noted that joint-partnerships in Australian ecotourism have enabled coherence and clarity of responsibilities (Torres-Sovero, González, Martín-López & Kirkby 2012).

nThe tourism department in the country has embarked on a mission to train the Aboriginal people living near Wet Tropics and Great Barrier Reefs. Ecotourism in these tourist sites needs well-educated local people in order to safeguard their cultural values and beliefs against negative effects from tourisms. Training also enhances awareness among the Aboriginal community. According to Ballantyne & Packer, (2013), training also play an important role in reducing negative effects of ecotourism since it empowers the local community (Ballantyne & Packer, 2013). Similarly, the government of Australia provides opportunities to train and educate tourists against negative effects of sacred sites or traditions. In addition, tourists going to Wet Tropics and Great Barrier Reefs are educated to avoid commodification of treasured Aboriginal values and traditions (Newsome, Moore & Dowling, 2012).

nSimilarly, trainings among the tourists discourage destructive stereotypes. Reports from the management authority of Wet Tropics show that employees working in these ecotourism sites are trained on the some Aboriginal languages and cultures. Through this training, the employees have a chance to understand and appreciate the Aboriginal culture to a higher degree (Donohoe, 2011). Additionally, the utilization of Aboriginal socio-cultural and names in tourist destinations helps to strengthen the linkage between the identity of natives and the ancestral sites. Consequently, it assists to impart a sense of cultural belonging, stewardship and pride among the Aboriginals (Torres-Sovero, González, Martín-López & Kirkby 2012). Similarly, trained ecotourism operators who have local cultural appreciations are able to invite more tourists to learn how Wet Tropics are connected to indigenous social and cultural backgrounds (Lee, 2013).

nEnvironmental Impacts

nEcotourism at Wet Tropics and Great Barrier Reefs contributed to both positive and negative impacts. Research indicates that ecotourism in these sites has huge effects on the environment because of huge production of carbon footprint (Thomas & Brodie, 2014). For instance, in Great Barrier Reefs, ships and boats produce large quantities of carbon pollutants. In addition, ecotourism contribute to destruction of corals after reef walking (Brodie & Waterhouse, 2012). The reef ecosystem is fragile, hence; it is very vulnerable to human activities. Since the Great Barrier Reef receives approximately two million tourists annually, there is a higher chance of environmental pollution. Ecotourism has both indirect and direct effects on the ecosystem. For instance, according to Australian government, boating, diving and snorkelling cause direct destruction on reefs at the Great Barrier Reefs (Zeppel, 2012). In addition, collecting and fishing leads to over-utilization reef species (Coria & Calfucura, 2012). Consequently, it has endangered survival of species.

nResearch by Coghlan, (2012) confirms that ecotourism has negative environmental impacts on Great Barrier Reefs because snorkelers and divers activities lead to development of lesions on corals, and destruction of branched and fragile corals. However, the researcher noted that only a few divers and snorkelers contribute to widespread or severe destructions while most of them contribute to minimal damages (Coghlan, 2012). The findings of this study suggested that changes and degradation of reef structure take place after the utilization of these tourists is surpassed. In addition, boat groundings such as anchors causes severe physical destructions on these sites. The size of a boat is proportional to the level of destructions. Indirect negative effects occur from construction and development of infrastructure for ecotourism (Mowforth & Munt, 2015). For instance, platforms that are constructed in these sites to serve as viewing points for tourists indirectly cause environmental effects. In this regard, seabird defecates on these platforms and the faeces enter into the water, causing diseases such as aspergillosis (Brodie & Waterhouse, 2012).

nEcotourism also promotes positive environmental impacts in Great Barrier Reefs and Wet Tropics because it is a source of funds, which are used to conduct environmental research (Authority, 2012). A certain percentage of fees collected from these sites are used to finance environmental sustainability measures such as conservation efforts and scientific research (Lee, 2013).

nEnvironmental Sustainability

nA wide range of environmental sustainability measures aiming to reduce negative impacts on Great Barrier Reefs and Wet Tropics have been implemented. For instance, the Australian government has initiated Zoning Plan and Research and Monitoring strategies in order to protect these sites against environmental effects (Thomas & Brodie, 2014). The Marine Park Authorities who are responsible of Great Barrier Reefs management have introduced seven zones in this facility. The zones are meant for scientific purposes, preservations, public access, green zones that do not allow tourist activities (Agrwal & Baranwal, 2012). The plans for zoning play a crucial role in environmental sustainability since they safeguard the biodiversity. The zoning structure is designed to cater for the ever-increasing number of visitors in these sites. The zoning exercise in GBR in Australia, used more than AU$12 million.

nZoning is one of the effective environmental management instruments that are used in Australia to mitigate the environmental effects of ecotourism. For instance, they are used to control entry of tourists in Great Barrier Reefs and Wet Tropics in order to ease their negative effects (Agrwal & Baranwal, 2012). Following strict implementation of zoning plan at GBR, the authorities have witnessed significant positive results in the marine ecosystems. For instance, a more recent research by Zeppel, (2012) noted that the number of coral species has re-emerged by 31 per cent in a period of three years especially on reefs near fishing zones. In addition, the researcher noted that in zones known as no-takes, the population of fish has greatly increased (Zeppel, 2012). Consequently, the zoning system has promoted long-term sustainability of biodiversity in reef ecosystem. Furthermore, after zoning was introduced in the GBR, most species have increased their predicted biomass, which is attributed to a higher rate of protection (Brodie & Waterhouse, 2012).

nNonetheless, the success of the zoning plan depends on the effectiveness of continuous education, and communication programs, which are conducted via the media. Through these programs, eco-tourists are able to know the area they are permitted to visit and what they should do or not do (Lee, 2013). Most of the boats and cruises are fitted with most of the information that guides the tourists including maps.

nMoreover, research and monitoring strategy has also been applied in the Wet Tropics and Great Barrier Reefs in order to mitigate the negative effects of ecotourism on the environment (Thomas & Brodie, 2014). For instance, in the GBR, a specialized team has received training on how to gather and tabulate information concerning health of reefs. Similar trainings have been conducted on this crew to monitor iconic and protected species (Coghlan, 2012). Through these strategies, the teams have succeeded in identifying evolving issues on the eco-tourists sites. The collection of data for a long time at these sites has benefited many scholars who intended to acquire crucial insights and facts on the effects of ecotourism on GBR and Wet Tropics. Additionally, close monitoring helps to determine the number of fish as well as reefs health (Agrwal & Baranwal, 2012). Therefore, relevant authorities have been able to initiate appropriate corrective mechanisms.

nThe Marine Parks Authority (MPA) at the facility also conducts monitoring at the GBR. Some of the issues that it continuously observes include the quality of water and presence of crown of thorns starfish. Reports show that these kinds of starfish are able to kill large contents of reefs (Coria & Calfucura, 2012). In the last few decades, these starfish destroyed more than 65 per cent of the GBR reefs. The major causes of starfish outbreaks are overfishing of these predators and poor quality of water. Therefore, through close and regular monitoring, the MPA is able to identify these starfish before they cause large damages (Kiper & Sağlam, 2011).

nEco-tourists have an opportunity to participate in monitoring. For instance, the stakeholders have initiated a project dubbed Coral Watch, which record data one the health changes observed on reefs caused by coral bleaching. Ultimately, the scientists use the available information to develop appropriate mechanisms that save their lives.

nConclusion

nGreat Barrier Reefs (GBR) and Wet Tropics in Australia are popular eco-tourists destinations for both local and international tourists. Both sites have positive and negative economic, sociocultural and environmental impacts. For instance, they are sources of employment among the Aboriginal and non-indigenous communities in Australia especially those living near these sites. However, negative economic impacts occur when the local people are excluded from the employment opportunities (Lee, 2013). Economic sustainability has been enhanced through private-public partnerships between the government and eco-tourists companies. Sociocultural effects due to ecotourism at these sites are evident. For instance, ecotourism lead to a feeling of community pride and value especially when eco-tourists visit Aboriginal traditional sites (Fennell, 2014). However, it can be a source of negative sociocultural effects, especially when eco-tourists do not appreciate the cultural settings of the Indigenous people. Sustainability is enhanced through joint-partnership between the community and eco-tourists. Finally, ecotourism causes environmental pollution on the GBR and Wet Tropics because it raises the carbon footprints (Brodie & Waterhouse, 2012). Fortunately, fee deducted from eco-tourists is used finance conservation efforts. It is recommended that the Australian government should formulate more sustainable initiatives in order to promote existence of ecotourism at the GBR and Wet Tropics.

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nReferences

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