Hospitality Management – College Essay Example

Amazon was chosen as the research destination due to its vast size as the largest tropical rainforest and biodiversity hotspot globally. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in ecotourism activities driven by consumer concerns about the environment. Recognizing this trend, the United Nations declared 2002 as the International Year of Ecotourism with the goal of bringing together governments, international agencies, NGOs, tourism enterprises, and local communities to establish principles and priorities for future development and management of ecotourism. Despite this recognition, there is still uncertainty surrounding the history and importance of ecotourism.Fennel (1995) defines ecotourism as a sustainable form of nature-based tourism that aims to preserve natural areas while providing opportunities for experiencing and learning about nature. The World Tourism Organization (WTO) describes ecotourism as a type of tourism that focuses on observing and appreciating nature while conserving the environment. According to the WTO, there are five key characteristics of ecotourism: tourists should be motivated by a desire to observe, appreciate, and conserve nature; educational elements should be included in the experience; specialized tour operators should organize it for small groups; efforts should be made to minimize negative impacts on the environment; and it aims to generate income for local communities and conservation organizations. The International Ecotourism Society also defines ecotourism as responsible travel that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people. Both organizations emphasize respecting the environment, providing financial benefits, and empowering local communities. While there may be some variation in its exact definition, researchers generally agree that ecotourism involves both environmental preservation and benefiting local communities. The concept of ecotourism emerged in the late 1970s when travelers

started seeking environmentally-focused experiences involving nature and wildlife.According to the WTO, ecotourism is currently considered a niche market with growth potential. When effectively managed, it can significantly contribute to nature preservation. The WTO has identified specific market segments based on research conducted on popular countries for ecotourism. The majority of ecotourists, mainly women between 30 and 50 years old, prefer activities like wildlife viewing and exploring wilderness areas to observe rare species. The top five destinations for these ecotourists are the United Kingdom, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. One of these destinations is the Amazon region in Brazil which is renowned for being one of the world's largest and richest ecosystems. Spanning nine South American states and covering about half of Brazil's landmass, this region boasts remarkable biodiversity including 200 mammal species, 950 bird species, 2,500 fish species, and 300 reptile species. It also encompasses the second-largest river globally - the Amazon River - which runs through this area. Due to its dense forest cover within this region, boats and ships are considered ideal modes of transportation. Even though Lusitanian adventurers originally searched for Eldorado – a mythical city made entirely of gold – in this area but never found it; nevertheless,'Amazon' has remained associated with the region as its name.The Amazon is not only home to a diverse range of species, but it is also inhabited by indigenous populations who rely on its ecosystem for their sustenance, shelter, and livelihoods. Ecotourism plays a vital role in the local economy of this region, attracting tourists with its unique attractions. However, the Amazon forest faces significant threats such as deforestation, logging, and forest cleansing. To

protect the natural habitats, it is essential to offer special interest tourism products. Luckily, as ecotourism flourishes in the Amazon, there are plenty of activities available for visitors.

One popular destination for exploring the diverse ecosystem of the Amazon is the National Park of Pico da Neblina and the National Park of Jau (Source: www.amazon-rainforest.org) (Source: www.embratur.gov.Br). These parks provide opportunities for cave tourism or espeleotourism where tourists can explore caves and study their formations. Mato Grosso stands out as a well-visited cave within the Amazon (World Wide Web.embratur.gov.Br).

Another ecotourism activity offered in the Amazon is floatation. It involves light diving with a snorkel and mask to appreciate underwater beauty. Mato Grosso is particularly famous for this activity.

For wildlife enthusiasts, observing fauna in their natural habitat at the National Parks in the Amazon is an incredible experience. These parks house thousands of different species. Birdwatching has also gained popularity among tourists who specifically seek out various endangered species in the Amazon.
Manaus, the capital of the Amazon forest and renowned for its natural beauty, is considered one of the most sophisticated cities in the world. With around 1.5 million residents, it attracts visitors from all over. Brazil offers a variety of attractions, including ecological parks and over 15 points of interest such as Paricatuba Waterfall on the Negro river bank surrounded by flora and Love Cascade with its cold and crystal-clear water in Guedes bayou.

Parque do Mindu serves as a sanctuary for endangered species, while Grove of INPA and CIGS's Zoo house various animals like monkeys, panthers, Brazilian otters, snakes, alligators, macaws, tapirs, and land turtles. Accessible only by riverboat is Tupe Beach. The Amazon region's renowned

biodiversity makes Brazil an appealing destination for tourists; according to ecobrasil.org.br., 39% of visitors are primarily attracted to Brazil due to its natural beauty with 7% specifically interested in exploring ecotourism in the area.

However, Embratur's Domestic Market Survey conducted in 2005/2006 found that only 6%, or four million tourists, are motivated by ecotourism when traveling. Some researchers suggest alternative motivations based on Maslow's hierarchy of needs to understand why people choose specific ecotourism destinations for vacation activities. This text describes a pyramid representing a hierarchy of needs starting with basic physiological needs.According to Mullins (2007), individuals strive to fulfill higher levels of the pyramid until all their needs are satisfied. However, Ryan (1997) argues that tourist behavior is influenced by social motives rather than needs when choosing vacations. He emphasizes how tourists from different backgrounds can have varying attitudes towards vacations but share similar motivations rooted in the desire for companionship. Furthermore, Ryan (1997, p.37) categorizes different theoretical models of motivation and acknowledges various researchers associated with each theory. Pearce proposed the concept of the "travel calling ladder" to understand travel motives. This ladder encompasses relaxation, stimulation, relationships, self-pride, development, and fulfillment as sequential motives experienced with increasing involvement as travelers gain more experience. Initially seeking relaxation on their first vacation, tourists' motives evolve over time as they become more interested in learning about history and culture. Eventually, they aspire to reach higher levels of engagement with the country being visited (Ryan 1997). Hall and Weiler (1992) and other researchers have delved into the motivations behind choosing special interest tourism driven by cultural and educational factors, as observed by Crompton's studies.This is in line with

Read's (1980) interpretation, which acknowledges that tourists are seeking authenticity, uniqueness, and educational experiences. Real tourism originated from this idea, suggesting that travel should be rewarding, enriching, adventurous, and a learning experience for the tourist.

Hall and Weiler (2002) found that motivations for participating in specific interest tourism activities can vary. For example, participants in ecotourism are motivated by both learning opportunities and a desire to connect with nature and indigenous communities.

Page and Dowling (2002) presented two perspectives on ecotourism: "hard" tourism emphasizes sustainability and immersion in untouched locations while "soft" tourism involves shorter trips with less nature contact. However, besides motivations, other factors such as the availability of merchandise related to the activity also influence tourists' choices.

The Specialty Travel Index website offers various travel opportunities worldwide. Butcher (2007) highlights the importance of community engagement in ecotourism development because decisions made regarding ecotourism have an impact on the lives of the community.

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) supports the development of ecotourism and believes that local communities should have control and be involved in decision-making processes. Ecotourism should bring benefits to communities, preserve the environment, and contribute financially to conservation projects.According to Page and Dowling (2002), involving local communities enhances the tourist experience. The Alternative Travel Group (ATL), established in 1979, effectively collaborates with local communities by listening to their suggestions on environmental preservation. The profits earned are used for infrastructure construction and conservation projects in needy areas. Additionally, ATL encourages individuals to share sustainable ideas, resulting in ongoing worldwide projects benefiting both local communities and the environment.

It is crucial for all stakeholders, including local communities, to play a critical role in ecotourism development. The

WWF operates globally as the largest non-governmental organization with over 90 countries covered by more than 52 offices and five million supporters worldwide, including numerous volunteers. Their main missions include safeguarding the natural world, protecting the environment, and preserving the ecosystem and culture in the Amazon for local people. To achieve these objectives, they have developed a comprehensive plan that includes strategies like combating deforestation, promoting responsible agriculture and production, establishing protected forests, and ensuring preservation of rivers and forest-friendly roads.WWF has partnered with Sky Television to conserve the rainforest in the Amazon. This collaboration aims to provide economic aid to local communities for managing large areas of forest while combatting illegal logging and deforestation. They also work closely with two UN bodies - the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Through these partnerships, they strive to enhance their conservation efforts on a global scale.

Another organization involved is TIES (The International Ecotourism Society), which actively promotes community-based ecotourism initiatives and environmental preservation projects along with WWF. One specific project mentioned is the Silves Association for Environmental and Cultural Preservation located in Manaus, whose primary goal is to protect fishing lakes from potential harm. In support of their conservation work in this region, WWF has established an ecolodge operated by locals, with 20% of net incomes generated from this facility dedicated to site conservation activities.

Furthermore, WWF has implemented a program in Brazil that focuses on raising awareness about ecotourism practices based on their guidelines as outlined at http://www.icrtourism.org/Publications/WWF1eng.pdf. TIES, established in 1990 as a non-governmental organization, supports the development of ecotourism and educates tourists and professionals about its

principles.TIES, along with other organizations like Planeterra and yourtravelchoice.org, brings together individuals, establishments, and tourism industries to promote ecotourism. They advocate for administrations to adhere to these principles and offer tourists opportunities to engage in ecotourism activities, support local communities, and educate visitors on nature conservation. Through their own contributions on the World Wide Web.ecotourism.org, they provide information on ecotourism and its related issues. While Planeterra primarily focuses on community projects, all of these organizations share a common goal of promoting ecotourism in Brazil with an emphasis on environmental safety.

Planeterra is an international NGO that assists communities worldwide in creating eco-friendly living environments. ABETA actively contributes towards developing ecotourism activities in Brazil to preserve the country's cultural and historical heritage. ABETA collaborates with the Tourism Ministry, Embratur (Brazilian Tourism Board), and BBECO to promote various ecotourism activities such as bird watching, caving, camping, and wildlife preservation. Embratur is responsible for implementing tourism policies aimed at boosting tourism while minimizing negative impacts like flotation disturbances or disruptions to bird watching and zoology observation efforts.Ecobrasil, established in 1993, focuses on promoting ecotourism initiatives. In recent years, Brazil has been advancing sustainable and ecotourism practices, with Ecobrasil aiming to position the country as a reliable destination for ecotourism. They develop knowledge networks and participate in projects that enhance understanding and planning of ecotourism practices. To achieve their goals, they plan to create an information network dedicated solely to ecotourism while also committing to understand the environmental impact of tourism. They aim to compile statistics on ecotourism and showcase global-scale eco-touristic practices through their website www.ecobrasil.org.br.

One program that recognizes Brazil's potential for ecotourism is Proecotur - Programa de Desenvolvimento

do Ecoturismo na Amazonia Legal (Program for the Development of Ecotourism in the Legal Amazon). This program envisions making the Amazon the largest source of income through ecotourism by attracting three million annual eco-tourists. Strategies are being developed to make the Amazon a top choice for eco-tourists. Both Ecobrasil and Proecotur believe that intelligent transportation plans can achieve a sustainable environment without major investments. Their objective is to attract tourists by improving transportation options and enhancing services.Efforts are currently being made to develop more sustainable products and experiences for visitors, as shown on http://www.faunabrasil.com.Br. In conclusion, Brazil is committed to promoting ecotourism and sustainable practices through various initiatives focused on knowledge, infrastructure improvement, and service enhancement. These endeavors aim to establish Brazil as a trustworthy and desirable destination for ecotourists who want to connect with nature while following conservation regulations set by authorities and benefiting local communities.
Numerous studies have examined tourist motivations in selecting destinations and levels of involvement, revealing their shared attitudes in seeking educational and cultural experiences in new and unique environments. The concept of Real travel, which encompasses rewarding, enriching, adventurous, and educational experiences, has contributed to the growth of ecotourism. This type of specialized tourism is profitable and expanding, providing income for promoters and local communities.
Most organizations that promote ecotourism are non-governmental and rely on volunteers. However, it appears that only certain individuals actively participate in these activities despite their shared goals of promoting ecotourism and environmental preservation. To further strengthen ecotourism in Brazil – renowned for its natural beauty – NGOs, agencies, and businesses must take more action.In the Amazon region, collaboration among entities is crucial for preserving the environment

and positioning Brazil as a top ecotourism destination. This involves enhancing Brazil's beauty and attractions while tailoring ecotourism activities to cater to all tourists. Emphasizing adherence to regulations in protected areas is necessary for nature conservation. Additionally, exploring special interest tourism like spiritual tourism can support ecotourism development. An online spiritual organization promotes religious practices as a form of special interest tourism. Various sources such as Abeta (2008), Amazon rainforest (2004), ATG Oxford (1979), Butcher (2007), Fauna Brasil (2005), Fennell (1999), and Instituto Ecobrasil (1993) emphasize connecting faith, religion, and the environment in promoting preservation efforts. By encouraging individuals to take simple steps in preserving the Earth, this initiative aims to increase investment in ecotourism.In addition, the Ministerio do turismo provides information about Brazil on their website. The available sources include:
- "Management and Organisational Behaviour" by L. Mullins (2007)
- "Ecotourism" edited by S.J Page and R. Dowling (2002)
- Planeterra website (2003), accessible at
- "Adventure & Particular Interest Travel" by Specialty Travel Index (1980), available at
- International Ecotourism Society website, located at
- "The Tourist Gaze" by J. Urry (2002)
- "Tourism: an introduction" by R. Youell (1998)
- "Special Interest Tourism" edited by B Weiler & C.M Hall (1992)
- World Tourism Organization's publication on world overview & tourism themes (2002), based in Madrid
- WWF for a living planet website, found at

Accessed dates for these sources range from September 27th to December 3rd, 2009.