Around the World, Through the Eyes of an Ecotourist

What's happening in the rest of the world?

So far we've taken our readers through the ins and outs of ecotourism in Newfoundland (click here, here, here, or here to see earlier blog posts!). This week, we'll be taking the blog in a  new direction by looking at some global examples so that we can see how Newfoundland fares when compared to the rest of the world.

Canada

First we'll take a look at the rest of Canada and how they are doing in terms of conservation and ecotourism. Most examples of Canadian ecotourism are similar in nature to those found in Newfoundland. We are a large country filled with many beautiful natural landscapes and geological marvels. Every province and territory in Canada has at least one National Park and they all have provincial park systems in place as well. If you would like more information about each National park see the following website: http://www.pc.gc.ca/progs/pn-np/index.aspx. These parks have similar positives and negatives as discussed in the Newfoundland examples.

The various aspects of each province generate a different appeal.  For example, Alberta has many geological attractions like fossils and tar sands, while  the territories focus on the appeal of the arctic. 

An out of the box example of Canadian ecotourism is the polar bear sport hunt in Nunavut. This hunt provides the locals with financial stability and at the same time regulates both polar bear hunting and populations (Dowsley et al. 2009).   

Polar bear hunting in Nunavut

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Global

Globally, there is a huge variation in the available ecotourism opportunities. From snorkeling the Great Barrier Reefs in Australia, to climbing volcanoes in Costa Rica and safari adventures in Africa. While the variation generates appeal across a wider audience, it can also cause an abuse of the term "ecotourism". Here we'll discuss an example of ecotourism that we think is doing well and one that has room for improvement.

In many African countries, the appeal of exotic animals and Savannah environments draws in tourists who wish to experience the wild life first hand. These safaris and wild life tours do not always follow the "take only pictures, leave only footprints" policy that we have come to know in Canada. At the moment there is over a million square kilometers being used for trophy hunting in sub-saharan Africa alone. Currently it is a sport permitted in 23 countries there. This is a very controversial form of ecotourism. There are a number of positives and negatives we will discuss, but a more complete list can be found in Lindsey et al, 2007.  On one hand, there are high revenues, it can control problem animals and decreases the amount of illegal hunting. On the other hand, there are problems with over harvesting, government corruption, and inadequate regulation. 

Rhino trophy hunting in Africa

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Over 25% of the land mass in Costa Rica is protected by National Parks and preserves, which is more than any country in the world. In terms of ecotourism, many believe it is one of the best examples in the world. On the Osa Peninsula on the south-west coast of the country  (where one of our blog members spent the summer studying primate behaviour and conservation) an extensive study has been undertaken to study the benefits of ecotourism on the region. The study by  Zambrano et al. (2010), found that ecotourism in the area provided major financial benefits to locals has contributed to environmental conservation and has educated the general public on many environmental issues and concerns. Ultimately this study concludes that the Osa encompasses what it means to be an ecotourism destination. Based on this study and personal experience, we see Costa Rica as a fore-runner of what ecotourism should be. More can be found about ecotourism in Costa Rica at: http://www.planetconservation.com/

Scarlet macaw at the Osa Wildlife sanctuary 

Indigenous Borucan traditional mask making in Costa Rica

Tree frog in botanical garden in Costa Rica(Photo credit-Shannon Driscoll for the above 3 photos)

An example of how ecotourism in Costa Rica is benefiting the environment of the Osa Peninsula (Zambrano et al. 2010)

Next week we will take a look at how Newfoundland stacks up in terms in both economic and conservation aspects of ecotourism as compared to the rest of the world!

References:

Dowsley, M. (2009). Inuit-organised polar bear sport hunting in Nunavut territory, Canada. Journal of Ecotourism 8:2 161-175

 Lindsey, P. A., Roulet, P.A. & Romanach, S.S. ( 2007).Economic and conservation significance of the trophy hunting industry in sub-Saharan Africa. Biological Conservation 134: 455-469

Parks Canada : http://www.pc.gc.ca/progs/pn-np/index.aspx

Zambrano, A.M.A.,roadbent, E.n. & Durham, W.H. (2010). Social and environmental effects of ecotourism in the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica: the Lapa Rios case. Journal of Ecotourism 9:1, 62-83.