Redefining Ecotourism: The Need for a Supply-Side View

Abstract

This article reviews the existing literature on ecotourism definitions and provides a supply-side view of ecotourism based on the findings of a nationwide survey of 282 U.S.-based ecotour operators. A content analysis of ecotourism definitions revealed that ecotourism is a new form of nonconsumptive, educational, and romantic tourism to relatively undisturbed and undervisited areas of immense natural beauty, and cultural and historical importance for the purposes of understanding and appreciating the natural and sociocultural history of the host destination. The current view of ecotourism by the sample of tour operators reflects and confirms definitions of ecotourism found in existing literature. If the definitions provided by this sample of ecotour operators are to be considered representative of their business vision or mission statement, it is plausible to expect their business objectives and operational behavior to be congruent with their description of ecotourism. Whether or not their actual behavior will reflect their visions remains to be determined.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Agardy, M. T. (1993). “Accommodating Ecotourism in Multiple Use Planning of Coastal and Marine Protected Areas.” Ocean and Coastal Management, 20 (3): 219-239.

Andersen, D. L. (1994). “Developing Ecotourism Destinations: Conservation from the Beginning.” Trends, 31 (2): 31-38.

Backman, K. F. , B. A. Wright , and S. J. Backman (1994). “Ecotourism: A Short Descriptive Exploration.” Trends, 31 (2): 23-27.

Boo, E. (1991). “Planning for Ecotourism.” Parks, 2 (3): 4-8.

Brause, D. (1992). “The Challenge of Ecotourism: Balancing Resources, Indigenous People, and Tourists.” Transitions Abroad, November-December: 29-31.

Buckley, R. (1994). “A framework for Ecotourism.” Annals of Tourism Research, 21 (3): 661-669.

Butler, R. (1989). “Alternative Tourism: Pious Hope or Trojan Horse?” World Leisure and Recreation, 31 (4): 9-17.

Butler, R. (1991). “Tourism, Environment and Sustainable Tourism Development.” Tourism Management, 18: 201-209.

Ceballos-Lascurain, H. (1987). “The Future of Ecotourism.” Mexico Journal, January: 13-14.

10.

Farrell, B. H. , and D. Runyan (1991). “Ecology and Tourism.” Annals of Tourism Research, 18 (1): 26-40.

11.

Fennell, D. , and P.F.J. Eagles (1989). “Ecotourism in Costa Rica: A Conceptual Framework.” Journal of Parks and Recreation Administration, 8 (1): 23-34.

12.

Hunt, J. D. (1992). “Rural Tourism: New Focus on a Traditional Industry.” Western Wildlands, 18 (3): 2-3.

13.

Kinnaird, M. F. , and T. G. O’Brien (1996). “Ecotourism in Tangkoko Duasudara Nature Reserve: Opening Pandora’s Box.” Oryx, 30 (1): 65-73.

14.

Kutay, K. (1989). “The New Ethic in Adventure Travel.” Buzzworm: The Environmental Journal, 1 (4): 30-36.

15.

Lindberg, K. , and R. L. Johnson (1994). “Estimating Demand for Ecotourism Sites in Developing Nations.” Trends, 31 (2): 10-15.

16.

Malloy, D. C. , and D. A. Fennell (1998). “Ecotourism and Ethics: Moral Development and Organizational Culture.” Journal of Travel Research, 36 (4): 47-56.

17.

Miller, M. (1993). “The Rise of Coastal and Marine Tourism.” Ocean & Coastal Management, 20 (3): 181-199.

18.

Orams, M. B. (1995). “Towards a More Desirable Form of Ecotourism.” Tourism Management, 16 (1): 3-8.

19.

Place, S. (1991). “Nature Tourism and Rural Development in Tortugero.” Annals of Tourism Research, 18 (2): 186-201.

20.

Place, S. (1995). “Ecotourism for Sustainable Development: Oxymoron or Plausible Strategy?” Geojournal, 35 (2): 161.

21.

Sirakaya, E. (1997). “Attitudinal Compliance with Ecotourism Guidelines.” Annals of Tourism Research, 24 (4): 919-950.

22.

Sirakaya, E. , and R. W. McLellan (1998). “Modeling Tour Operations Voluntary Compliance with Ecotourism Principles: A Behavioral Approach.” Journal of Travel Research, 36 (3): 42-55.

23.

Sirakaya, E. , and M. Uysal (1998). “Can Sanctions and Rewards Explain Conformance Behavior of Tour Operators with Ecotourism Guidelines?” Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 5 (4): 322-332.

24.

Valentine, P. S. (1993). “Ecotourism and Nature Conservation: A Definition with Some Recent Developments in Micronesia.” Tourism Management, 14 (2): 107-115.

25.

Wall, G. (1994). “Ecotourism: Old Wine in New Bottles?” Trends, 31 (2): 4-9.

26.

Wallace, G. N. (1993). “Wildlands and Ecotourism in Latin America.” Journal of Forestry, 91 (February): 37-40.

27.

Western, D. (1993). “Defining Ecotourism.” In Ecotourism: A Guide for Planners and Managers, edited by K. Lindberg and D. E. Hawkins . North Bennington, VT: The Ecotourism Society, pp. 7-11.

28.

Wheeller, B. (1991). “Tourism’s Troubled Times: Responsible Tourism is Not the Answer.” Tourism Management, 12 (2): 91-96.

29.

Wight, P. (1993). “Ecotourism: Ethics or Eco-Sell?” Journal of Travel Research, 31 (3): 3-9.

30.

Williams, P. W. (1992). “A Local Framework for Ecotourism Development.” Western Wildlands, 18 (3): 14-19.

31.

Ziffer, K. (1989). “Ecotourism: The Uneasy alliance.” In Conservational International. Washington, DC: Ernst & Young, Working Papers on Ecotourism, pp. 1-36.

32.

Ziolkowski, H. (1990). “Ecotourism: Loving Nature on Its Own Terms.” Calypso Log, 17 (3): 16-19.