Resort Ecotourism

Abstract

A master plan that combines tourism, conservation, and research offers a mechanism for developing and other countries to preserve their natural and cultural treasures while at the same time attracting appropriate tour ism development. Ironically, at the same time that travelers' interest in cultural and natural heritage is peaking, the threat to that heritage has never been greater. Since conservation for its own sake is not sufficient to preserve a nation's heritage, a plan that integrates ecotourism with inter pretation of a cultural heritage seems to be the wisest course. An even stronger case can be made when research or discovery is part of the preservation package, and travelers can participate in the creation of knowledge. The seven nations of Central America have embarked on a cooperative plan to preserve their heritage while developing their tourism industry, but the conservation facet of the plan could be better integrated with the development aspect. Panama particularly has a golden opportunity to preserve its pristine rain forest, take advantage of tourist interest in the reverted canal zone, and present itself as a research laboratory in connection with a branch of the Smithsonian Institution.