Summary: Information / Discussion

Ecotourism and Ethical Tourism

The objective of this session was to discuss how tourism can help to foster sustainable development in indigenous communities, and how that can be achieved without contributing to the economic and cultural exploitation of the indigenous peoples or causing damage to the local environment.

The chair, Mr. Renato Alva of United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD) introduced the topic of the session —the importance of ecotourism in the developing world as a way of both improving quality of life and conserving the environment.

Ecotourism for the benefit of both local communities and tourists
Mr. Ortiz of AGREOTOUR/KONOJEL talked about the potential of ecotourism as a form of sustainable development in communities, particularly communities of indigenous peoples. Mr. Ortiz, as a representative of an indigenous group himself, was especially concerned about the effects of tourism on indigenous cultures. He pointed out the increasing importance of tourism in the developing world in general —it is the second largest source of income for developing world economies— and in Central America in particular. According to the World Tourism Organization, the rate of increase in tourism is larger in Central America than in any other region in the Americas. In 2000, it corresponded to 8.8%. Mr. Ortiz warned that if the sustainable development of the affected communities is not taken into consideration, the negative effects of tourism can outweigh the economic benefits.

Mr. Ortiz defined ecotourism as a form of tourism which aims to benefit the affected communities economically, while respecting their natural resources and the role they play in the ecosystem of the region. Ecotourism in Central America would continue to offer traditional tourist activities and attractions, including visits to monuments and areas of natural beauty, sports activities like climbing, agro-tourism or rural tourism in which the tourist is invited to participate in and learn about the local agricultural practices. However, in contrast to traditional tourism, ecotourism would not offer specially constructed lodgings with modern conveniences, or food adapted to the tourists’ tastes, but would invite the tourist to live like the local inhabitants. In this way, tourism would not damage the ecosystem by creating a dependency on imported foodstuffs or through the installation of water or heating systems. At the same time, the ecotourist would benefit from finding out how the local communities live. Mr. Ortiz pointed out that it is important to involve:

• Government agencies for both tourism and the environment; 
• Non-governmental organizations concerned with the environment and with an interest in ecotourism; 
• The tourist industry, including tour operators, travel agencies, transport companies and local tourist offices; 
• The local authorities of communities with an interest in sustainable development through ecotourism; and last but not least;
• Organizations of indigenous peoples. 

This last group is particularly important if the indigenous peoples are not to be abused. Traditional tourism has in the past used the indigenous peoples and their culture for its own purposes, offering them as an attraction to tourists, but without showing any respect for them and without offering them any part of the profits. Mr. Ortiz explained how there is a move to pass laws controlling the interaction of tourists with the local culture. The best example is that of the Kuna people of Panama, who have succeeded in setting up their own legislative system governing, among other things, exactly where and when photographs can be taken.

Mr. Ortiz finished by pointing out some of the risks involved even in ecotourism (for example, more visitors than can be accommodated by the community and its ecosystem), and by detailing the profile of the ideal ecotourist. This would, he said, be someone who loves and respects nature, enjoying any activity which brings him into contact with and allows him to observe nature in all its forms; who prefers a simple lifestyle, respecting the local community and its ecosystem; and who is looking for a cultural exchange with local peoples in order to learn about their way of life.

Sustainable tourism in Bolivia
Professor Ricardo Cox of the Universitat de Les Illes Balears talked about work he is doing on the development of sustainable tourism in Bolivia. He started out by providing some background information about Bolivia. The country has seventeen different ecosystems, ranging from the eternal snows of the high Andes to the savannahs of the lowlands, each with its own enormous biological diversity. It has also a huge diversity of indigenous peoples and cultures. Approximately 60% of the population claims to belong to an indigenous group. Of the indigenous population of the country, 90% lives under conditions classified by the UN as ‘extremely poor’, while the remaining 10% is merely ‘poor’.

Professor Cox talked about the history of economical exploitation, cultural repression and territorial annexation of the indigenous peoples of Bolivia. He pointed out that, in the last decade or so, indigenous organizations have worked hard, and have succeeded not only in achieving recognition from the national government, but also in obtaining legal rights to areas of land. Professor Cox then suggested that ecotourism is a viable option for sustainable development in these areas. He pointed out that tourism is a double-edged sword, and that care must be taken to regulate its development. He was very much against the large tourist complexes, such as those that can be found in Cuba, Costa Rica and the Caribbean, which cause all kinds of environmental and economic imbalances with the local communities, without providing any benefits at all. He talked about the need for the development of a model of tourism in a community, defining:

• Where it should take place;
• How many tourists can be accommodated;
• How the tourist and the community should interact with one another;
• What type of resources should be used (the aim being to use local materials and renewable resources, and to offer only basic, simple facilities); and 
• The nature of the interaction between tourism and the local economy.

Professor Cox stressed the need for support from the government and from non-governmental organizations, and for the involvement of the local indigenous peoples, as they know the community and the surrounding environment better than anyone else.

The Professor concluded that, if well-managed —carefully planned following a well-defined model— tourism is a viable way to encourage the development and maintenance of the indigenous peoples and their culture.

Culture clash and dependence
Some interesting points were raised by delegates in the discussion, which followed the speakers’ presentations. One delegate commented on the apparent paradox between the trend for rejection of outside cultures —particularly Europeans and North Americans— in view of the history and long-lasting negative effects of colonization, and the need to attract and embrace people from those same cultures for the financial benefits they bring as tourists. He also used criticized ‘neo-colonialism’ of tourism and the accompanying idea that ‘the tourist is king’, which brings with it a growth in prostitution and other forms of exploitation. Professor Cox responded to the second point by reiterating the need for careful planning and management of tourism.

A second delegate pointed out that in many cases it is locals, rather than foreign tourists, who are the most ignorant about the indigenous cultures of their countries, and who are the worst culprits in exploiting and discriminating against them. Mr. Ortiz agreed that ecotourism projects should be equally targeted at local tourists, particularly as it promotes inexpensive holidays which are within the reach of the local populations.

Conclusions
Tourism can be a viable way of fostering sustainable development in indigenous communities, as long as it is carefully planned with the consent and active involvement of the indigenous peoples themselves.

Presenters' Documents Available

20.11_cox_ricardo.doc (27 K)
20.11_ortiz_ruben.doc (35 K)

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