search query: @indexterm Developing countries / total: 1274
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| Author: | Gössling, S. |
| Title: | Ecotourism: a means to safeguard biodiversity and ecosystem functions ? |
| Journal: | Ecological Economics
1999 : MAY, VOL. 29:2, p. 303-320 |
| Index terms: | Tourist industry Ecology Environmental protection Cost benefit analysis Developing countries |
| Language: | eng |
| Abstract: | It is argued in this paper that, at present, ecotourism can contribute to safeguard biodiversity and ecosystem functions in developing countries. Meeting the requirements for ecotourism is, however, extremely difficult. A cost-benefit analysis of those ecosystems richest in species diversity, i.e. tropical rainforests, leads to the conclusion that non-use values often outweigh the values of conventional uses (that is, pasture, clear-cutting etc.), but are hardly considered in development decisions. Tourism and its high direct use value can, therefore, play an important role as an incentive for protection. As tourism is causing significant emissions, e.g. by flying, the concept of Environmental Damage Costs is introduced and integrated into the calculations. Furthermore, international tourism development is analyzed and related to protection goals. There is a need for limitations of visitation rates of sensitive areas, a need for integration of education, management, and control measures, and a need for increasing the proportion of money captured from tourists. In the long run, tourism needs to undergo substantial changes. |
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