Problems of Ecotourism and Ecoresort Developments - Реферат

Problems of Ecotourism and Ecoresort Developments Itam, Ekpenyong Bassey Volgograd State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering Ita, Ekpe Esien Dept. of Civil Engineering Cross River University of Technology CRUTECH, Calabar, Nigeria Abstract In the earlier phases of ecotourism in the 1980-s, considerable emphasis was placed on two major factors: tourists and pristine natural environments. This emphasis can be discerned from the definition of ecotourism attributed to Ceballos-Lascurain. Following deliberations of international conventions on ecotourism, cultural and biological diversities (Berlin Declaration on Biological Diversity and Sustainable Tourism of 1997; the Quebec Declaration on Ecotourism of 2002; the Oslo Statement on Ecotourism of 2007 etc), another significant factor has become recognized today - the indigenous communities, within whose traditional domains ecotourism is expected to flourish. Research has shown that the benefits that should accrue from ecotourism to indigenous communities do not very often accrue, especially in the developing countries; and this has resulted in conflicts between international tourists and indigenous communities. In this paper, the possibilities of preventing such conflicts, through the formulation of appropriate architectural conceptions for ecoresort developments, have been explored. Introduction - Ecotourism and the Developing Countries According to G. Wall [20], the “term ‘ecotourism’ is usually attributed to Ceballos-Lascurain, who defined it as ‘tourism that consists in travelling to relatively undisturbed or uncontaminated natural areas with the specific objective 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.’” In this early definition of ecotourism, the emphasis on the pleasure of the tourists is evident. This emphasis is still being played out by investors in ecotourism projects, in circumstances in which appropriate national regulations are not strictly enforced (the developing countries). This trend has continued to intensify within the first decade of the 21st century. According to the 2008 report of WTTC (World Travel and Tourism Council) [23] the growth rate of international tourism in Africa (5.9%), Pacific region of Asia (5.7%) and Middle East (5.2%) have superseded the value 4%, the global average annual growth rate since 2004; while the growth rates in America (2.1%) and Europe (2.3%) fell below the average. Thus the influx of international tourists into the rural regions of the developing countries will continue to increase; and the developing countries will continue to welcome these trends towards the improvement of their national economies [12, 23]. Ecotourism is associated with some levels of responsibility. The expectation is that the social and economic benefits that accrue to developing countries from ecotourism must result in the improvement of the livelihoods of the indigenous communities and also foster the cause of conservation; and this position has been emphasized in the work of P. Wight [22]: “Ecotourism: Ethics or Eco-Sell?”. Thus, resort developments for ecotourism (ecoresort developments) must be based on this fundamental criterion of ecotourism - the recognition of the rights of indigenous communities to resources located within their traditional domains.