Pages: 32

No chapter abstract available.

Pages: 18

When appropriately managed, tourism can be a force for good that achieves social benefits to both visitors and residents of the host community. This chapter reviews and analyzes how tourism operators around the world are implementing practices that are moving these social benefits of tourism forward. The data used in this study were based on submissions to the World Travel and Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Tourism for Tomorrow Awards. The top three annual award finalists, selected by a panel of judges assigned by the WTTC, from 2005–2015 for the WTTC’s conservation and destination categories were analyzed. A total of 30 submissions were thematically coded using emergent themes and the UN SDGs. The cases presented aim to provoke critical thinking on the ways to integrate social benefits to communities into tourism planning and development. Three direct contributions are highlighted, namely community development processes, infrastructure development, and education initiatives. Since 2005, the World Travel and Tourism Council has housed the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, which recognize best practices in sustainable tourism. Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism: From Principle to Practice in the New Millennium. 4The aim of this chapter is to evaluate the contributions of award winners over the past decade and identify specific contributions relevant to the SDGs today. The impetus for this book is based on a desire to highlight not only excellence in sustainable tourism but also to reinforce the connections between human and environmental dimensions and the critical role ecotourism in its truest sense can have in addressing effective strategies for positive change and the conservation of natural and cultural heritage worldwide. The examples summarized are based on submissions to the World Travel and Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Tourism for Tomorrow Awards. The top three annual award finalists, selected by a panel of judges assigned by the WTTC, from 2005 to 2015 for the WTTC’s environment category were analyzed. A total of 30 submissions were thematically coded using emergent themes and the UN SDGs.

Pages: 12

Awamaki is a non-profit organization that works to connect indigenous women artisans with economic opportunities through sustainable tourism and craft revitalization. Working with rural villages outside of Cusco, Peru, Awamaki works with women artisans within two programs, traditional fair-trade crafts, and rural community tourism, to provide educational opportunities to support their businesses and families, while creating sustainable Quechua cultural experiences for their guests. Awamaki, a nonprofit organization located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas of Peru, works with rural Andean women's cooperatives to develop technical and administrative proficiency so that they can operate independently, successful artisanal businesses. The organization works with 180 women in rural villages outside Cusco; 140 of those women live in indigenous Quechua communities, and all have Quechua roots and speak the language. Awamaki runs two programs: traditional fair-trade crafts and rural community tourism. Through these programs, Awamaki gives women the education and opportunity they need to earn an income and support their families while allowing visitors to experience Quechua culture sustainably and respectfully.

Pages: 75

No chapter abstract available.

Pages: 12

This case study will examine a private-community conservation tourism project called Rivers Fiji, located on the island of Viti Levu, Republic of Fiji. This case will outline best practices, strategies, stakeholder engagement, and ancillary efforts to privately conserve Fiji’s third largest fresh-water drainage, the Upper Navua River, a 24-km river corridor, which is home to a variety of endemic species, and Fiji’s first Ramsar site, Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar, 2022). The case will include a link to a short video which conveys the essence of this partnership and the vitality of the project. This case study is about Rivers Fiji, a whitewater and sea-kayaking enterprise that, with the support of local landowners, created the Upper Navua Conservation Area (UNCA), a lease for conservation, located in the Republic of Fiji.

Pages: 19

The Florida Sea Base is a youth adventure program run by the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) in the Florida Keys. Sea Base operates 12 adventure programs that exposes up to 17,000 youth annually to the marine ecosystem in the Bahamas, Florida Keys, and US Virgin Islands. This chapter reports on the initial pilot study of ongoing research to examine the role of adventure programming on pro-environmental behavior, conservation stewardship 48and ultimately a conservation ethic as emphasized via the BSA outdoor code. Three program groups (Coral Reef Sailing, Sea Exploring, and Scuba) were surveyed post-trip to examine trip expectations, motivations for high adventure, personal responsibility for the marine environment, perceptions of marine ecosystem health, and impacts of an adventure experience on scouting commitment. Ninety percent of the respondents (n=138) felt the Sea Base experience motivated them to take better care of the environment where they live. Fifty-five percent are strongly committed to scouting and this experience strengthened that commitment. Skill attainment (scuba and sailing) and knowledge of environmental conditions (coral reef ecology and restoration efforts) as the Sea Base experience provides, illustrate a stronger connection to the environment. Experiences humans have with nature during adolescence can reinforce pro-environmental values, attitudes, and behavior in adulthood.

Pages: 13

Over the past two decades, community-based tourism has expanded greatly in communities located in the Mosaic of Protected Areas of the Lower Negro River (MLNR), in Brazil’s Amazonas state. This paper reviews involvement of MLNR communities, with national and international partners, in the construction of a more sustainable and inclusive approach to community-based tourism in and adjacent to protected areas (PAs) in this high-biodiversity tropical developing region. The MLNR forms part of the vast Central Amazon Biosphere Reserve and the Central Amazon Ecological Corridor, an area of millions of hectares of worldwide significance for conservation of biological and cultural diversity and global climate 68stability. Within and adjacent to the different municipal, state and federal PAs of several IUCN management categories that make up the MLNR, tourism initiatives have been established in many communities, inhabited by both indigenous and non-indigenous riverside people. Both traditionally depend heavily on extraction of natural resources for their livelihoods. The MLRN is near the urban center of Manaus, the Amazonas state capital, with over 2 million inhabitants—the largest city in the Amazon basin. For many years, this facilitated more conventional approaches to tourism without adequate effort to promote active participation and benefits for local communities. The search for more responsible and inclusive nature and culture-based tourism with greater community benefit, led by local actors, resulted in substantial growth in community-based tourism enterprises, products, destinations, and services in the MLNR in the past decade. This network of actors includes communities, universities, regional, national, and international governmental and non-governmental partners, and bilateral and multilateral donors. The key actors created an umbrella organization, the Rio Negro Community-Based Tourism Forum, which has worked since 2011 to strengthen community-based tourism in the MLNR. This case study presents the results of the collaborative initiatives of communities of the MLNR and their partners. It reviews several recent studies that chronicle the evolution of community-based tourism in the region and the importance of partnerships and networks in implementing community-based tourism in the MLNR region. As a result of these partnerships, technical assistance and training has been provided to many community-based small businesses, PA staff and other target audiences in different aspects of sustainable community-based tourism. In 2020, community-based tourism in the MLNR has faced new challenges due to COVID, but the support of longstanding partners and the institutional strengthening of the communities themselves have helped to increase resilience to the pandemic. Community-based tourism in the MLNR still faces many challenges, some exacerbated by COVID, such as fragile community leadership and cohesion; marketing; access to credit; strengthening value chains; diversifying tourism products and services; and difficulties in access and transportation to some locations (many communities are only accessible by boat). COVID has created new challenges, as it has decimated indigenous and riverside communities, shut down domestic and international tourism and caused an economic recession not limited to tourism. This situation, however, is also an opportunity 69to pause and reflect on achievements in community-based tourism in the region and plan for the post-COVID world.

Pages: 10

The impact of tourism on the socio-cultural sustainability of destinations is usually discussed broadly in relation to the negative outcomes of growth in tourism. Limited research exists on how to counter these effects by adequately involving tourism stakeholders through collaboration and inclusion during the development and growth phases. This study applies a stakeholder engagement approach to assess the level and outcomes of effective integration of stakeholders in the tourism development process through participation. The Mount Elgon ecosystem in Kenya serves as a case study. A stakeholder analysis was conducted on three groups of primary tourism stakeholders in this region, specifically targeting the business community, government, and the host community. It concludes that increasing stakeholder engagement should be promulgated by key primary stakeholders to improve community participation and establish co-management mechanisms with resource management institutions. Incorporating practices of community participation in tourism requires working with different cultures and different institutional arrangements to co-opt key stakeholders in tourism for effective dialogue and engagement.

Pages: 17

The Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park (NEPL NP) is one of the largest and most biodiverse protected areas in Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Over 100 villages are located in and around NEPL NP. The local poverty level, paired with the national and international demand for forest and agricultural products have led to forest loss and illegal poaching. To address these threats, an ecotourism program was initiated in 2010, aiming to provide alternative livelihoods while supporting wildlife conservation. Under this program, a direct link between tourism and wildlife conservation was created by the implementation of a direct-payment model where wildlife encounters by visitors and/or the proof of wildlife in the tourism area translate into financial benefits to the communities. This case study will present the NEPL NP ecotourism model, the community engagement and benefit sharing mechanisms, and highlight the lessons learned over the last decade.

Pages: 45

No chapter abstract available.

Pages: 14

Tourism is widely acknowledged as an engine for economic growth in Africa, providing employment and revenues for conservation and communities. A large amount of nature-based tourism in Africa is run by the private sector and occurs in areas where communities live. Partnerships between the private sector and communities in these areas can, therefore, allow for the engagement of local communities in the tourism business and related benefits, both tangible and intangible. This chapter looks specifically at different partnership examples from Namibia and presents the lessons learned from these, as well as best practices for private sector-community tourism partnerships.

Pages: 12

This chapter discusses the challenges and strategies involved in commercializing community-based tourism (CBT) in Brazil’s protected areas (PAs). While CBT offers a sustainable tourism model that respects local cultures and environments, its success in the market is not guaranteed. The chapter highlights the varied realities of Brazilian PAs, from those with easy access to urban centers and established tourist flows to remote areas with significant logistical challenges. These disparities influence the marketability of CBT initiatives, which must navigate high operational costs and the complexities of working with traditional and often marginalized communities. The chapter examines case studies illustrating how different PAs have addressed these challenges, emphasizing the need for transparent partnerships with tourism agencies and operators that respect CBT’s principles and community well-being. Ultimately, the success of CBT in Brazil hinges on overcoming significant commercialization 126challenges to ensure economic viability, which in turn supports community development and conservation efforts

Pages: 16

Ecotourism was established, in part, to protect natural environments and promote the well-being of local communities and cultures. Previous research suggests that guides play a vital role in the ecotourism experience, which, when facilitated well, can be inspirational and transformative for visitors. In this chapter, transformational leadership theory (Bass, 1985) is used as a framework to better understand the role that guides can play within ecotourism and the broader interpretive industries. To do so, two case studies are examined. First, evidence from a survey of ecotour guides affiliated with a guide training company based in South Africa is presented. Second, evidence gleaned from a survey of interpretive guides affiliated with a not-for-profit professional organization for interpretation based in the United States is reviewed. Evidence from these case studies support the assertions that: (1) transformational leadership theory is a useful framework for understanding the role and evaluating the competencies of a guide, and (2) guides have the potential to be transformational leaders that aid in the achievement of sustainable tourism and development goals.

Pages: 27

No chapter abstract available.

Pages: 8

Located in the central highlands of Kenya, Mount Kenya which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site is the second highest Mountain in Africa. Under the IUCN, the Mt Kenya National Park and Reserve is a category V property which adopts the Protected Landscape Model. This model emphasizes the importance of integrating conservation and economic development practices within landscapes that have cultural, ecological, and aesthetic significance. Community managed cultural sites are critical in the integration of economic development and conservation goals. Using a case study of Thingini shrine which is one of the many religious and cultural sites in the Mt. Kenya Forest we show the opportunities and challenges faced by the local community in conserving, managing, and developing cultural tourism sites. The local community currently collaborates with two government agencies mandated with the responsibility of protecting the biosphere reserve. Additionally, an NGO that works with Community Forest Associations (CFAs) supports the community in training tour guides 156and porters. While there is a potential for the community to develop the site for tourism in partnership with a private investor, there are currently no formal guidelines to the nature of this collaboration. The community therefore currently lacks financial capital and access to the regional tourism market. There are also issues on equitable sharing of the minimal benefits realized which force the youth into illegal poaching, particularly of the critically Mountain Bongo, Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci as well as logging. The current collaboration efforts have only partially supported community management of the heritage site. Coordination of the collaboration between the community and other partners is key for connectivity to the tourism market and mobilization of financial and technical resources. Mount Kenya is the second-highest Mountain in Africa, located in the central highlands of Kenya. It is designated by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve and was consequently inscribed as a World Heritage site in 1997. Under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Mt. Kenya National Park & Reserve is a category V property that adopts the protected landscape model. This means it encourages a working environment of high natural and/or cultural value so that safeguarding its integrity is vital to the protection and maintenance of the reserve. Mt. Kenya is a religious cultural site. The Kikuyu community regards Mt. Kenya Peak, the realm and habitat of their god (Ngai), and traditionally the Kikuyu worshipped while facing the mountain. The mountain and its environment (forest) are home to several sacred mini sites that are home to the sacred Mugumo (fig) trees, meaning that they are never harvested. More importantly, the Mt. Kenya Forest is a forte for several Mau Mau caves and trenches that were used as hideouts for the Mau Mau (freedom fighters) during the British resistance. Consequently, to promote tourism and save the forests’ cultural and natural significance, the surrounding community has developed mini heritage attraction sites using the available resources, for example, the caves. Among the developed attractions is the Thin Gini sacred shrine. It is located near the Ragati forest station in the Mt. Kenya Forest. The forest is divided into two forest conservancies and five management zones including Nyeri and Kirinyaga in Central Highlands Conservancy and Meru Central, Meru South, and Embu in Eastern Conservancy (KFS, 2010). Ragati forest is part of the Nyeri forest management zone, and it is where this sacred shrine is located. The backbone of the site is its traditional religious significance. Thingini means pure. Elders of the Kikuyu community used a spring surrounded by indigenous trees 157in the area to pray for rain during dry spells. The spring produces whitish water famed for its salty qualities particularly when disturbed, making the shrine unique from all other similar sites.

Pages: 17

The Mason River Protected Area (MRPA), nestled in the rural hillsides of the island of Jamaica, was the training site for a start-up livelihood project that targeted nearby local communities. This project promoted biodiver- sity awareness and facilitated sustainable tourism practices through the production and sale of craft souvenir items in 2016. There were previ- ously no souvenir items for visitors to the main nature trail of a 49-hectare reserve within the MRPA. It was envisioned that not only would both the local community members and the MRPA managers generate income from the souvenirs, but visitors would have a reminder of the nature walk experience and conservation messages. The project grant awarded to the managers of the MRPA, the Natural History Museum of Jamaica of the Institute of Jamaica, was issued through a national protected area system project called “Strengthening the Operational and Financial Sustainability of the National Protected Area System”. Funding support for the national project was provided by the Global Environment Facility. The Institute of Jamaica (IOJ) partnered with the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) in Jamaica to develop training workshops 164for the creation of handcraft souvenirs and market access for the products. A total of eight people from three local communities responded positively to an invitation to participate in the training workshops. Experienced artisans, sourced through TPDCo, provided training in the creation of handcraft coconut, wood, and bamboo souvenirs. A total of three workshops were facilitated at the Field Station located within the MRPA. A distinct feature of this project was the mainstreaming of biodiversity into the training process with a biodiversity education component for both the trainers and the trainees. This raised their awareness of MRPA and Jamaican biodiver- sity and served as inspiration for their handcraft designs. The key outputs for the MRPA Craft Project included: a core group of eight trained community artisans the production of 83 pieces of mainly handcraft jewelry as well as hair clips, plaques, coasters, and a pencil holder. pilot testing of a market for the souvenirs at a World Wetlands Day (WWD) event at MRPA a marketing action plan developed for the trained artisans by the Jamaica Business Development Corporation Two important outcomes were: (i) laying of a foundation for an alternative livelihood in the craft industry for the participating commu- nity members and (ii) the creation of business opportunities between the Mason River Protected Area Crafters (i.e., the community producers) and the Institute of Jamaica (IOJ) and Jamaica Business Development Corpo- ration (i.e. potential retailers). We believe that this project is replicable in other protected areas and share the challenges, lessons learned and successes of the project experi- ence through this chapter.