Article

Environmental Tourism

Authors:
To read the full-text of this research, you can request a copy directly from the author.

Abstract

Examines one of the fastest growing areas within the tourism industry. The emergence of "short break" tourism, tourism products and services has sharpened the industry's focus on the special interest/special destination sector. This new book provides a comprehensive survey of this important sector.

No full-text available

Request Full-text Paper PDF

To read the full-text of this research,
you can request a copy directly from the author.

... According to Dowling (2001), there are five key principles that define ecotourism as follows: it is nature-based, ecologically sustainable, environmentally educative, locally beneficial and generates tourist satisfaction [29]. ...
... According to Dowling (2001), there are five key principles that define ecotourism as follows: it is nature-based, ecologically sustainable, environmentally educative, locally beneficial and generates tourist satisfaction [29]. ...
Article
Full-text available
Mining was part of the development of industrial society and a driving force of technological education and economic growth of the region. After mining ceased, many mining sites and their surrounding areas found themselves in a state of insecurity. Mining in Slovakia has had a long and rich history in the mountainous regions (e.g., Spiš, Gemer, a well-known area around Banská Štiavnica). This research is focused on the potential of the marginal mining areas Markušovce, Rudňany Poráč in the Spiš region and is oriented towards linking mining, landscape and tourism. The main analytical and synthetic research methods were supported by field research and participatory methods with a questionnaire and emotional maps. The results obtained were used in an alternative solution for eco-park case studies. The research results are operational trail models of geotourism. Further research results are concepts of eco-geoparks, which were based on the evaluation of case studies. In terms of landscape design, concepts have been specified in which landscape design dominates. Mining traces are an inseparable part of the landscape. Mining has brought its benefits but also its negatives. How do we deal with this heritage? This research responds that landscape revitalization, the development of educational tourism and the creation of a diverse environment is one of the good ways.
... According to Lobo (1999), agri-tourism is a subset of a larger industry called rural tourism. On the other hand, Dowling (2001) classifies eco-tourism and rural tourism in different categories as shown in Figure 1. ...
... This has played a key role in the development of some rural zones that used to be economically and socially depressed areas. However, tourism in rural areas is not a recent phenomenon; as a matter of FIGURE 1 Overview of tourism (Dowling, 2001 ...
... According to Lobo (1999), agri-tourism is a subset of a larger industry called rural tourism. On the other hand, Dowling (2001) classifies eco-tourism and rural tourism in different categories as shown in Figure 1. ...
... This has played a key role in the development of some rural zones that used to be economically and socially depressed areas. However, tourism in rural areas is not a recent phenomenon; as a matter of FIGURE 1 Overview of tourism (Dowling, 2001 ...
This research aims to investigate the main socio-economic effects of agri-tourism on local community of Aglasun village in Burdur, Turkey. The study tries to give a perspective on the development of agri-tourism in Turkey and has a purpose of focusing on the social and economical dynamics of the host-guest encounters by pointing out the linkage between agriculture and tourism as a growing importance among tourism scholars. According to the interview results, economic benefits of agri-tourism have not been observed yet, since it is a new type of development in the region. Some dimensions of social effects such as tourist contact and cultural exchange are more observable than the others such as eating&drinking habits or clothing habits. Since there is not not any fully developed agri-touristic village in Turkey, the study is going to focus on the future expectations, long term benefits and perceptions on agri-tourism.
... Considering these characteristics, leisure experiences, such as tourism activities, are an ideal scenario for developing such interpretive and educational strategies [115][116][117]. The ICOMOS principles (1999) already included the need for active interpretation to ensure the quality of tourism projects. ...
Article
Full-text available
Tourist activity offers numerous possibilities for socioeconomic growth while promoting the dissemination, recognition, and appreciation of heritage. Nevertheless, tourism based on a mercantilist approach, oriented mainly towards the maximization of economic benefits and the massive attraction of visitors, can pose a threat to the conservation and integrity of heritage assets. In this panorama of vulnerability, heritage education stands as a primary strategy to resolve the tensions between heritage and tourism. Based on this premise, research aimed at stimulating tourism activity committed to education and sustainability is presented. Said study is framed in three counties of the region of Extremadura, selected for being great centers of tourist attraction: the Monfragüe National Park, the Villuercas-Ibores-Jara Geopark, and the monumental city of Trujillo. The results reveal that introducing educational principles is decisive in improving the value and competitiveness of tourist destinations and contributing to regional development. Despite this, the approaches of heritage education are not yet sufficiently integrated into tourism plans, which distances the territories from sustainability.
... To address this, Donohoe and Needham (2006) thematically analysed the contemporary concepts of ecotourism finding out that these are based on the following principles: nature-based, preservation/conservation, environmental education, sustainability, distribution of benefits, and ethics/responsibility. These themes appear to be parallel to those defined by Blamey (2000) and Dowling (2001). ...
Thesis
Full-text available
Despite the risks involved, travel to undertake leisure activities on active volcanoes is a growing form of special interest tourism. Some argue that this is due to the increased accessibility of these landforms and the popularisation of global volcanic activities through traditional and social media. In addition to the attraction of tourists to volcano tourism, tourism researchers have also increasingly focused their attention on this phenomenon. However, there is a lack of research on understanding volcano tourists including their motivations, experience expectations, and actual experiences. By researching visitors to Mount Pinatubo, an active volcano in the northern Philippines, the primary aim of this study is to gain insight into these issues. A multiphase mixed methods research design with concurrent/parallel phases was adopted for this study. The first phase (QUAN/qual) was a pre-tour survey of visitor motivations and expectations of volcano tourism experiences. A survey with 26 five-point Likert-type scale items based on a push-pull motivation framework, embedded with open-ended qualitative questions was developed. This was administered to a quota sample of visitors on-site at Mount Pinatubo, prior to them undertaking a volcano tour. Statistical analysis of 204 valid survey responses reveals four push motives, namely, escape and relaxation, novelty-seeking, socialisation, and volcano knowledge-seeking; and two pull motives, namely, dark and activities-induced, and volcanic and natural attribute-driven motives. Novelty-seeking is found as the core motivation factor for visiting the volcanic site. Statistical testing also reveals differences in terms of gender, prior experience of volcanic sites, and visitor types. Females were discovered to have higher motives to learn about volcanoes. Visitors who have visited other volcanoes prior to their Mount Pinatubo tour report higher attraction to the volcanic and natural features compared to first-time volcano tourists. Domestic visitors are more likely to escape and relax compared to international visitors, while international visitors are more likely to seek unique experiences compared to their domestic counterparts. A qualitative content analysis of the reported experience expectations reveals that visitors anticipate fun and hedonic experiences prior to the tour. The second phase (QUAL) entails post-tour semi-structured qualitative interviews to explore the actual volcano tourism experiences of the visitors. Those who had a recent experience of the tour were purposely selected to participate in the interviews. A thematic analysis of the 12 interviews show varied perceptions, emotions, and views on the experience. A conceptual framework was developed based on interactional theory, which suggests these experiences are found to be influenced by Mount Pinatubo’s natural, recreational, and socio-cultural dimensions. Thereafter, findings from the two phases of the study were analysed together to draw inferences based on convergence and divergence of findings. Convergences across findings were found except in the educational aspect of the tour which is absent on the post-tour narratives of the interviewees. Likewise, findings reveal that the pre-tour hedonic expectations are more likely to be exceeded by the spiritual and transformative outcomes of the experience. The implications of this study may aid tourism administrators in marketing and managing the volcanic site. Finally, practical recommendations for management and suggestions for future research are provided.
... Den naturbaserade turismen är en form av turism där betraktande av naturen är det främsta syftet". Dowling (2001) "Naturorienterad turism är en form av turism som kombinerar utbildning, rekreation och äventyr". "Upplevelser/aktiviteter som är direkt avhängiga av naturen" (Mehmetoglu, 2007a) "Naturturism är alla former av turism -charterturism, äventyrsturism, ekoturism, jaktoch fisketurism, friluftsturism (såsom vandring, orientering) Som framgår av exemplen ovan så finns det några återkommande komponenter i beskrivningarna som är centrala för tolkningen av naturturism. ...
Article
Full-text available
Nature is considered to be important for Swedish tourism and has a significant impact on the international image of Sweden. Nature tourism is intuitively easy to understand but difficult to measure in more precise terms due to a lack of a formal, universally accepted, definition. As a result, our knowledge about nature tourism and related statistics is insufficient, both from a tourism providers (supply of products and services) and tourism consumers (visits to nature outside the ordinary surroundings) perspectives. The aims of the present report are to describe nature tourism from both tourism provider and consumer points of view, to propose a definition of nature tourism, to examine present tourism statistics and other sources of knowledge from a Swedish nature tourism perspective, and to present suggestions on how nature tourism in Sweden can be better measured and quantified. This report also includes four international case studies – from New Zealand, North America, Scotland and Finland – to provide a better perspective of nature tourism. The results from our work can be summarized in five main conclusions: There is a lack of definition: Nature tourism (and similar concepts) is used frequently in many different contexts without any formal definition. We suggest a broad definition that builds upon the present definition of tourism in general. Current statistics say little: Current tourism statistics are very general and can only to a limited degree explain or measure nature tourism. Similarities with other countries, but many things to learn from them: The situation in Sweden is not unique, the international case studies show similar conditions in other countries. Nature tourism must be measured from several perspectives: The great diversity of nature tourism calls for measurements from different perspectives. We suggest four measurements – two consumer surveys, one producer survey and systematic on site visitor surveys. A need for coordination and leadership: Nature tourism involves many stakeholders and there is a need for coordination and leadership from many levels including local, regional, national, and international where responsibility for grounded research is included in the mission.
... According to Dowling (2001) there are five key principles that define ecotourism as follows: it is nature based, ecologically sustainable, environmentally educative, locally beneficial and generates tourist satisfaction. A set of geotourism principles can also be developed in a similar fashion comprising: being geologically based, environmentally educative, generating tourist satisfaction, sustainable and being locally beneficial. ...
Article
Full-text available
Travel to and appreciation of natural landscapes and geological phenomena continues to grow as a niche area of tourism. Despite economic recessions, political problems, the increasing price of oil and even the risk of natural disasters, such as volcanic eruptions, people still yearn for new experiences and need to fulfil that deep aspect humanity, which is having a sense of wonder about the planet we live on. It is our belief that geotourism will continue to rise as an important tourism activity as our planet becomes increasingly overcrowded, as wild places continue to be diminished and people strive for sustainable lifestyles and authentic natural experiences. Geotourism, as a distinct subsector of natural area tourism, has quickly evolved since the rapid expansion of the global geopark movement from 2002 onwards and the publication of Dowling and Newsome (2006). Accordingly, this is the second book that comprehensively explores the nexus between landscape, geological phenomena and tourism. As with its predecessor, in this book various researchers, specialists, practitioners and protected area managers from different countries have been invited to contribute their thoughts and experience of geotourism. This book therefore contains examples of geotourism concepts, development and practice from around the world. These accounts of geotourism provide insight and scope for further discussion as to what geotourism is, how it might be promoted, on how to present geotourism to the visitor, views on the management of geotourism and collectively they build and help to set an agenda for the future.
... Such a definition also embraces the wider aspects of tourism activity in that visitation to geotourism destinations requires transport, access, accommodation and services, trained staff, planning and management. The scope and content of geotourism According to Dowling (2001) ...
Article
Geotourism sits within a spectrum of definitions (Figure 1.1). For example, Stueve et al. (2002) provide a very broad definition of geotourism – one that encompasses wider geographical, socio-economic and cultural contexts which sit under the umbrella of geographic tourism. Such reasoning probably relates to geology being the basis for the physical environment and therefore ecological systems, with extension into the cultural, spiritual and economic interface. Frey et al. (see Chapter 6) embrace geotourism at the level of social and community development according to the concept of the geopark. However, in our definition of geotourism the ‘geo’ part pertains to geology and geomorphology and the natural resources of landscape, landforms, fossil beds, rocks and minerals, with an emphasis on appreciating the processes that are creating and created such features.
Book
Full-text available
This book clearly presents the complex and often contradictory subject of ecotourism. Early on, ecotourism was held in a highly favorable light as being the ideal alternative to mass tourism. It was purported to have minimal impact on the natural environment, cultural resources, and indigenous communities while simultaneously it provided economic benefit to local economies. Whereas ecotourism can and does achieve many of these benefits, which are not mutually exclusive, it is not without its faults because research has shown that even the low-impact approach of ecotourism can still inflict changes. These changes include physical impacts by visitors to natural resources such as erosion on trail surfaces, disturbance of fragile cultural resources, disruption and/or displacement of wildlife from their habitat, and social changes to local indigenous cultures. That said, ecotourism is not necessarily a bad thing. It does provide a means for local cultures to take advantage of interest in local resources by outside visitors; much of the revenue associated with ecotourism remains at the point of designation. Ecotourism allows the visitor to experience many of the wonders of natural and cultural world in a way in which they – the visitor – become better educated about the unique cultures and natural environment which they have chose to visit. The visitor often develops a greater appreciation and understanding of the places that they have chosen to visit. Recognition of these special places often results in increased importance to protect and preserve these resources. Author Ismar Lima clearly illustrates how ecotourism is not without its secondary impacts or consequences, in spite of the many benefits that this small sector of what is the largest industry worldwide; tourism. This book explains the many wonderful consequences for bringing people to remote and isolated locations and allowing them to experience the wonder of the natural and cultural world. However, the text also sheds light on the many and often complex issues associated with ecotourism. In particular, Lima discusses the confusion central to the term ecotourism, citing literature by highly respected and well-published scholars in the field of ecotourism research. In particular, author Lima incorporates research as part of his doctoral studies in New Zealand, a unique and special location for ecotourism activities partially based on the isolated setting and tremendous natural and cultural landscapes. He also presents issues related to collaborative ecotourism This book clearly presents the complex and often contradictory subject of ecotourism. Early on, ecotourism was held in a highly favorable light as being the ideal alternative to mass tourism. It was purported to have minimal impact on the natural environment, cultural resources, and indigenous communities while simultaneously it provided economic benefit to local economies. Whereas ecotourism can and does achieve many of these benefits, which are not mutually exclusive, it is not without its faults because research has shown that even the low-impact approach of ecotourism can still inflict changes. These changes include physical impacts by visitors to natural resources such as erosion on trail surfaces, disturbance of fragile cultural resources, disruption and/or displacement of wildlife from their habitat, and social changes to local indigenous cultures. That said, ecotourism is not necessarily a bad thing. It does provide a means for local cultures to take advantage of interest in local resources by outside visitors; much of the revenue associated with ecotourism remains at the point of designation. Ecotourism allows the visitor to experience many of the wonders of natural and cultural world in a way in which they – the visitor – become better educated about the unique cultures and natural environment which they have chose to visit. The visitor often develops a greater appreciation and understanding of the places that they have chosen to visit. Recognition of these special places often results in increased importance to protect and preserve these resources. Author Ismar Lima clearly illustrates how ecotourism is not without its secondary impacts or consequences, in spite of the many benefits that this small sector of what is the largest industry worldwide; tourism. This book explains the many wonderful consequences for bringing people to remote and isolated locations and allowing them to experience the wonder of the natural and cultural world. However, the text also sheds light on the many and often complex issues associated with ecotourism. In particular, Lima discusses the confusion central to the term ecotourism, citing literature by highly respected and well-published scholars in the field of ecotourism research. The author incorporates research as part of his doctoral studies in New Zealand, a unique and special location for ecotourism activities partially based on the isolated setting and tremendous natural and cultural landscapes. He also presents issues related to collaborative ecotourism.
Article
Full-text available
Article
New Zealand is renowned for ecotourism and nature tourism experiences, but, despite its importance, very little is known about the spatial development of ecotourism. Comprehensive benchmark information relating to commercial ecotourism operators in New Zealand does not currently exist. For the purposes of this research a New Zealand ecotourism operator database was analysed using the ArcGIS Geographical Information Systems computer software program to create maps and to perform spatial analyses. Results revealed the major ecotourism regions to be Otago, Canterbury, Waikato and Auckland. In addition, Southern Lakes, Dunedin, Kaikoura and Coromandel were identified as key ecotourism districts. The research also highlighted the growing significance of ecotourism business development in coastal and marine environments. The findings provide insights into the New Zealand ecotourism industry which could aid in the development of strategies, policies and systems for implementing and managing ecotourism. They also offer a benchmark for future comparative and trend analyses.
Australian nature-based tourism and ecotourism have become popular forms of recreational activity. Tasmania attracts twice the Australian national average number of nature-based tourists and ecotourists (thirty per cent). The growth of this tourism sector has prompted measures to ensure that experiences are of high quality, and that environmental impacts are adequately managed. ISO 14000 is an environmental management and certification system often utilised as an environmental management system standard within various industries, but has not been widely applied to the Australian tourism industry. The Nature and Ecotourism Accreditation Program (NEAP) represents the most significant accreditation measure within Australia at present. This paper assesses the relevance of NEAP in the Tasmanian nature-based tourism and ecotourism industry through in-depth interviews with a key informant group and a comparative analysis of interview data. The paper introduces nature-based tourism and ecotourism definitions and discusses the growing relevance of ecotourism accreditation. The paper argues that NEAP is relevant to the Tasmanian nature-based tourism and ecotourism industry, where the quality of the natural environment forms the central focus for such experiences. Furthermore, the paper argues that NEAP can assist in supporting the State's nature-based tourism and ecotourism industry through means such as branding and promotion. However, problems exist in relation to financial issues between NEAP and operators, and the perceived overlap of NEAP with the widely implemented Tourism Council Tasmania Accreditation Program. Thus, financial issues need to be addressed by the Ecotourism Association of Australia in association with Australian Commonwealth Government subsidisation. The degree of overlap between the two programs can be effectively addressed through industry cooperation. The paper also suggests that stronger branding and promotion of NEAP can be achieved through increased industry involvement by Tourism Tasmania.
ResearchGate has not been able to resolve any references for this publication.