Page 89 - Florence County, SC Florence County 2032: Connecting Our Past, Defining Our Future

ECOTOURISM:
ECONOMIC AND CONSERVATION BENEFITS

Ecotourism has become a popular activity in Ecotourism has the opportunity to boost local,
natural areas around the world through providing regional and national economies. Visitors require
opportunities for visitors to experience beautiful numerous goods and services while traveling,
wonders of nature and culture as well as to learn including hotels, restaurants, shops, guide services
about the importance of environmental conservation and transportation systems - thus, a multitude of
and local cultures. The definition of “ecotourism,” businesses receive direct benefits from ecotourism.
as adopted in 1996 by the International Union for Ecotourism has the potential to reduce the threats
Conservation of Nature (IUCN), is: “Environmentally posed by conventional tourism to natural areas
responsible travel and visitation to natural areas, and communities via income generation for:
in order to enjoy and appreciate nature (and any conservation, local enterprise and employment,
accompanying cultural features, both past and cultural exchange, environmental education,
present) that promote conservation, have a low protected area justification and visitor appreciation.
visitor impact and provide for beneficially active Ecotourism requires rigorous planning and
socio-economic involvement of local peoples.” management to realize this potential and to become
successful.
According to the Nature Conservancy, ecotourism
is a tool to accrue benefits for both local people
and the protected area, making it an ideal part of
a sustainable development strategy where natural Ecotourism can be defined as:
resources can be used as tourism attractions without
causing harm to the natural area. An ecotourism “Environmentally responsible travel
initiative must have the following aspects in order to and visitation to natural areas, in order
be successful: to enjoy and appreciate nature (and
any accompanying cultural features,
• Have a low impact upon a protected area’s both past and present) that promote
natural resources conservation, have a low visitor impact
• Involve stakeholders (individuals, communities, and provide for beneficially active socio-
eco-tourists, tour operators and government economic involvement of local peoples.”
institutions) in the planning, development,
implementation and monitoring phases; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), 1996
• Respect local cultures and traditions;
• Generate sustainable and equitable income
for local communities and for as many other
stakeholders as possible;
• Generate income for protected area
conservation; and
• Educate all stakeholders about their role in
conservation. 1

1 Drumm, Andy and Alan Moore (2002). Ecotourism Develop-
ment: A Manual for Conservation Planners and Managers (Vol.
1). The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, VA.

82 | Plan Pottawatomie County 2040 Adopted - August 19, 2019