Abstract
Abstract
Recent tourism trends have included a shift from traditional packaged tours towards more ecologically-minded and sustainable models, often called ecotourism. Ecotourism is the fastest growing form of international tourism, averaging a 20% growth rate per year since 1990 (www.Ecotourism.org 2006). Ecotourism has been treated by many as a panacea to balance the needs of development and conservation. This case study examines a community-based ecotourism project in rural Chi Phat, Cambodia, assessing whether tourism is delivering on its promise to provide development and conservation benefits. Utilizing open-ended interviews and secondary survey data, the case study examines three issues: community members’ thoughts and opinions on the ecotourism project; whether community members understand the goals of the project; and whether residents have stopped poaching and logging as a result of tourism jobs and income. This study has implications for ecotourism, especially which aspects of ecotourism might exceed expectations and which might fall short.
Benefits of Emptu Promises: Ecotourism and Local Communities
Abstract
Recent tourism trends have included a shift from traditional packaged tours towards more ecologically-minded and sustainable models, often called ecotourism. Ecotourism is the fastest growing form of international tourism, averaging a 20% growth rate per year since 1990 (www.Ecotourism.org 2006). Ecotourism has been treated by many as a panacea to balance the needs of development and conservation. This case study examines a community-based ecotourism project in rural Chi Phat, Cambodia, assessing whether tourism is delivering on its promise to provide development and conservation benefits. Utilizing open-ended interviews and secondary survey data, the case study examines three issues: community members’ thoughts and opinions on the ecotourism project; whether community members understand the goals of the project; and whether residents have stopped poaching and logging as a result of tourism jobs and income. This study has implications for ecotourism, especially which aspects of ecotourism might exceed expectations and which might fall short.