Ecotourism Essay Example

in various countries worldwide. As countries strive to protect natural environments and accommodate the growing industry of mass tourism and ecotourism, they must adapt. South Africa has emerged as a popular destination for both ecotourism and general travel. The country offers a diverse range of nature-based areas protected by the government, attracting visitors with various motivations. Some visit South Africa to participate in big game hunting, while others simply seek a unique experience.South Africa is located on the southernmost tip of the continent and is surrounded by the Indian Ocean to the east and south, and the South Atlantic Ocean to the west. It consists of four provinces - Natal, Orange Free State, Cape Province, and Transvaal. Despite being relatively undeveloped, South Africa is experiencing growth and is considered the richest and most highly developed country in Africa.

The population of South Africa includes various racial categories such as blacks, whites, colored, and Asians. Each individual in South Africa is classified into one of these categories. In 1988, the estimated population was 34,944,000, and by 2002, it had increased to 43,647,658. This shows significant population growth in just twelve years, resulting in a density of thirty-six persons per square kilometer.

Of the population, blacks comprise around seventy-three percent and are further divided into subgroups based on their traditional ethnic divisions. Whites make up approximately fifteen percent and are divided into Afrikaners and Afrikaans speakers of Dutch, German, British, or French descent. The colored people make up around nine percent and are of mixed black, white, and Southeast Asian descent.The Asian population in South Africa makes up approximately three percent of the total population (World Book, 608). The

country has two main languages, Afrikaans and English, with Afrikaans developed by the Dutch and incorporating words from European, Asian, and African languages (www.library.think quest.org). Around ninety percent of colored people in South Africa speak Afrikaans, while the remainder speak English (World Book, 613). In 1994, the government added nine more languages to the South African vocabulary, including Zulu, Xhosa, Sesotho sa Leboa, Tswana, Sesotho, Tsonga, Venda, Ndebele, and si Siwati (www.Encarta.msn), resulting in ninety-eight percent of South Africans speaking these eleven languages. Christianity is the dominant religion in South Africa, with ninety-two percent of the population identifying as Christians. Hindus and Muslims make up two percent each (www.Encarta.msn), with Hindus mainly of Indian descent and Muslims of Indian and colored descent. Out of the various Christian churches in the country, African independent churches claim eight and a half million adherents among four thousand churches (www.Encarta.msn). Recreation plays a significant role in the lives of most South Africans, particularly in schools where sports feature prominently.Rugby is the number one sport played by Afrikaners. South Africa hosted and won the 1995 rugby world championships. Cricket is another popular sport in South Africa, primarily played by English speakers. Swimming, water sports, tennis, and golf are also popular in the white communities.

The government in South Africa is a parliamentary system. In 1961, it became a republic with the president as head of state. However, in 1984, a new constitution was adopted, creating a trilateral parliament consisting of white, colored, and Asian houses but excluding the black majority. The parliament comprises the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces.

South Africa's economy has various strengths. It is

a middle-income, developing country with abundant resources. The country has well-developed sectors in finance, law, communication, energy, and transport. Its stock exchange is among the top ten largest in the world, and it has a modern infrastructure that facilitates efficient distribution of goods to major urban centers in the region. Nonetheless, challenges from the apartheid era persist, including thirty-percent unemployment and issues of poverty and economic marginalization among disadvantaged groups.The labor force in South Africa consists of approximately fifteen million economically active individuals, with the following occupation breakdown: services (thirty-five percent), agriculture (thirty percent), industry (twenty percent), mining (nine percent), and other sectors (six percent) (www.photius.com). These sectors exemplify the diverse economy in South Africa. The country's economy is characterized by various significant sectors, including investment in labor-intensive projects, expansion of basic infrastructure services, subsidies to enhance economic efficiency, and integration into the global economy (www.photius.com).

The tourism industry, particularly ecotourism, has played a significant role in South Africa for a considerable time. In 2000 alone, African tourists contributed up to 2.6 billion dollars to the industry (Loon, 2001). The South African tourism industry accounts for 4.7 percent of the gross domestic product (1995) (www.library.thinkquest.org). Furthermore, this industry employs around five hundred and fifty thousand people, representing one in twenty-five jobs in South Africa (www.library.thinkquest.org). The tourism industry has experienced an outstanding overall compound growth rate of over seventeen percent, even on an international scale (Loon, 2001).

Ecotourism activities in South Africa encompass nature photography, bird watching, botanical studies, snorkeling, hiking, mountain climbing, and hunting. Many visitors who engage in these activities are categorized as ecotourists and mass tourists.Game reserves and natural landscapes are the top attractions

for international tourists visiting South Africa (www.tourism.org). Many tourists engage in recreational big game hunting, which is allowed in private game land and selective game reserves. Accompanied by professional hunters, tourist hunters negotiate fees directly with land owners or managers for desired animals (Baker, 1997). As an example, the Mpakeni people near Kruger National Park sell buffalo hunting rights for R20000 each, using the revenue for community projects like schools (Cadogan, 1995). South Africa offers a prime opportunity to observe animals in their natural habitats and witness Africa's Big Five - large game animals (www.library.think quest.org). The majority of travelers to South Africa come from various countries around the world, with many flights available from major European cities to Johannesburg. Airlines like Malaysia and Qantas Airways offer flights from Asia and Australia (www.new Africa.com). South Africa Airways and others cover regional routes. Information on hotels, resorts, transportation, and airlines is easily accessible on the internet. Visitors, including the middle class and affluent, come for various purposes such as hunting, wildlife viewing, scenic enjoyment, holidays, business trips, or work assignments.Tourists come from various continents, including Africa, Europe, North and South America, Asia, and Australia. In 1999, Africa witnessed the highest number of eco-tourism arrivals with 4,367 tourists, followed by Europe with 1,027 tourists, North America with 245 tourists, and Asia with 185 tourists. South Africa boasts numerous tourist attractions, both natural, historical, and cultural. One of the most significant attractions is Kruger National Park, which is ranked fifth among South Africa's tourist destinations. This park is renowned worldwide for its wildlife management and offers an array of amphibians, reptiles, birds, and 147 mammal species, including the

Big Five. Visitors can enjoy a five-day, four-night mobile camping safari to spot big game and explore interesting sites. Another major attraction is the coastal and marine National Parks. Tsitsikamma features a narrow coastal plain with cliffs, tranquil tidal pools, deep gorges, and evergreen forests. The West Coast is situated in the Langebaan lagoon and offers a paradise for water sports enthusiasts. Additionally, it is home to 256 bird species. The wilderness of South Africa encompasses the foothills of the Outeniqua Mountains and comprises lakes, rivers, lagoons, forests, beaches, and the sea.Africa is a successful ecotourism destination, known for its wild natural environments. Parks and game reserves were opened in Africa starting in 1925 to protect and offer recreation in natural areas. With a higher demand for nature-based tourism and quality nature programs in the media, people started to travel to Africa to experience its wilderness. This form of travel allows tourists to discover and learn about untamed natural environments without significant human disturbance. Adventure travel in Africa offers a personal sense of accomplishment as tourists navigate through dangerous environments. These travelers are interested in experiencing, learning, and photographing wild nature in its natural settings. Examples of successful ecotourism in Africa can be found in Kenya and Tanzania (source: www.ecoafrica.com).The number of tourists visiting Tanzania and Kenya has significantly increased over the years. In the early 1950s, only a thousand tourists visited Tanzania, but by 1995, the number had reached 350,000. Similarly, Kenya saw an increase from 865,000 tourists in 1994. These countries earn significant income from ecotourism, sometimes surpassing the earnings from agriculture, which is another important export.

Kenya and South Africa have emerged

as successful leaders in the field of ecotourism due to their national legislation, policy planning, and effective site management. However, not all ecotourism initiatives have been successful. Paul Eagles has identified five factors that hinder Africa's development efforts in this area: negative market image, lack of foreign exchange for capital development, shortage of trained personnel for tourism, and inadequate planning and management of areas.

Ecotourism has positive effects on Africa's economy. The favorable exchange rate for tourists compared to other destinations attracts more money to the country and creates more job opportunities. The government believes that ecotourism brings hope to millions of people suffering from diseases, malnourishment, and homelessness. They also recognize that sustainable development through ecotourism contributes to a better economy and broader development for Africa.

Another positive outcome of ecotourism is the establishment of the Strategic Framework for Tourism Development.Ecotourism focuses on promoting socio-economic benefits for all participants and communities, involving communities in decision-making and responsibility, and prioritizing sustainability. This requires the balanced management of tourism resources, as well as an emphasis on environmental responsibility and conservation. Ecotourism has contributed to raising awareness of environmental issues among people in various countries, including Africa, where the local communities are actively engaged in planning and impact studies.

Furthermore, there has been increased publicity surrounding mining projects in ecologically sensitive areas. This has helped educate the people of Africa about the importance of conservation and responsible management of limited resources. In addition to benefiting local communities, ecotourism has also had a positive impact on urban dwellers and international businesses.

However, it is important to acknowledge the potential negative effects of ecotourism. Tourist activities can lead to environmental degradation through overuse,

trail erosion, road damage, wildlife harassment, sewage runoff, and poaching. Hunting or poaching can further contribute to the extinction of certain animal species. The establishment of tourist housing settlements near parks may also disturb animals and disrupt their habitats. Similarly, allowing tourists to deviate from main roads can result in animals being frightened away. The presence of large tour groups can also have adverse effects if not properly managed by organizers.

Unfortunately, the development of game parks in Africa has resulted in some negative consequences, such as restricting access to resources for certain groups of locals.Local peasants benefit the least from the natural or economic resources of parks, implying a negative impact on the environment if an underdeveloped country lacks organization and sufficient funds for establishment, protection, and management of these sites. Numerous recommendations exist to improve the negative effects of ecotourism. For the survival of the industry, maintaining the quality of the natural environment is crucial. Cooperation between public and private sectors is essential, with the public sector responsible for resource protection, determining acceptable uses and levels of use, and ensuring environmental security. Establishing visitor centers to provide information is also vital. Governments should closely monitor infrastructure maintenance, including roads, airports, rail lines, electricity, and sanitation facilities. Security and enforcement should be prioritized while monitoring impacts and limiting changes that are not in the best interest of the environment. Lastly, conflict resolution should involve the public sector. To prevent negative impacts, African governments must actively manage the natural environment and ensure adequate financial resources to avoid overuse, environmental damage, and the loss of ecotourism's potential. Implementing tax-based budgets for resource management is imperative.In order to

have a successful system of ecotourism in Africa, collaboration between the private sector and the public sector is crucial. The private sector, including operators providing services and products such as accommodation, food, transportation, media, guides, clothes, souvenirs, equipment, and advertising, should respond to consumer demands and offer specialized products when necessary. However, in a poorer country like Africa, private operators rely on the public sector for resource protection, infrastructure, and security. Similarly, the public sector relies on the private sector for managing day-to-day activities of visitors. By working together, these two groups can organize ecotourism more effectively and minimize negative impacts. The private sector can further contribute to the economy by printing guidebooks and using locally made safari vehicles. Moreover, the collaboration between the public and private sectors can be enhanced through the creation of internet databases and making information available through park publications and guidebooks. By providing comprehensive information to travelers beforehand, Africa can reduce the likelihood of encountering negative issues. Ultimately, Africa has great potential for nature-based tourism growth due to global interest in experiencing its natural environment. The efforts to protect wildlife and ecological resources are on the right track.In game reserves, hunting is permitted, while resource extraction is not allowed in national parks. Efforts are being made to build tourist accommodation away from large wildlife populations to prevent the animals from abandoning their natural habitat. South Africa and its national parks are considered an ecotourism destination due to these attractions that preserve the region's natural artifacts, such as animals and land structure, allowing visitors who appreciate these sights to enjoy the beautiful attractions (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9).The text consists of several sources which discuss

the topic of ecotourism. The first source is a research report by Maryam M. Khan from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in the USA, published in 1996. The second source is a technical paper titled "Wildlands and Human needs" by E. Boo, published in 1992, which was published by WWF and USAID in Washington DC. Additionally, there are articles referenced throughout the paper, including one available at http://libary.thinkquest.org/22897/tourism.htm.