The Advantages and Disadvantages of Ecotourism
Introduction
Regardless of its relatively new emergence, ecotourism is the most rapid growing sector
within the tourism industry – the world’s largest service industry (Dimanche & Smith, 2008). This is
partially due to the rising number of environmentally responsible individuals who have gravitated
towards ecotourism, due to its combination of unique travel experiences and the satisfaction of being
socially and environmentally conscious (Dimanche & Smith, 2008). Specifically, Costa Rica has
become a leader in the fostering of ecotourism, as they recognize that preserving natural resources
and landscapes may be more cost–effective than clearing the land for other capital–intensive
activities, such as farming, logging, or mining (Weaver, 1999). While the industry has faced
challenges in harmonizing its environmental ideals with the growing demand for ecotourism, along
with the temptation of profit generation, the environmental and economic advantages of ecotourism
have far exceeded these disadvantages (Orams, 1995).
What is Ecotourism?
Although there are several ways through which ecotourism is defined, a popular definition is
“purposeful travel to natural areas to understand the cultural and natural history of the environment;
taking care not to alter the integrity of the ecosystem; producing economic opportunities that make
the conservation of natural resources beneficial to local people” (Garen, 2000, para. 1). From this
definition, it is evident that ecotourism encompasses a wide range of travel activities, such as a day–
trip to a national park, to several weeks camping in the backcountry (Garen, 2000). As a result of this
vast spectrum of activities, the potential for dishonesty and corruption to occur in the form of
“greenwashing” is significant (Laufer, 2003).
Ecotourism and Costa Rica
While many nations in the Global South are concentrated on rapid industrialization and
urbanization, Costa Rica has applied ecotourism as a catalyst for economic development (Campbel 1999). Although small in size, Costa Rica’s richness in biodiversity offers tourists a glimpse of some
of the world’s most scenic landscapes (Hearne & Selinas, 2002). As a result, this country’s ecotourism industry appeals to approximately 1 million visitors annually, which in turn generates
about $1 billion per annum (Dulude, 2000). In terms of attracting foreign currency, ecotourism provides the foundation for Costa Rica’s economy, as it derives more foreign exchange than the nation’s previous staple exports – bananas and coffee – combined (Dulude, 2000). The exponential growth of Costa Rica’s tourism industry is the result of several factors (Boo, 1990).
Costa Rica’s access to the North American market has been a considerable advantage for its ecotourism industry, especially in comparison to that of Africa and Asia (Weaver, 1999). For
instance, American travelers alone account for approximately 20% of the global tourism market (Filion, 1994). In regards to Costa Rica specifically, the United States contributes roughly 49% of the
country’s foreign travelers, along with an additional 9% traveling down from Canada and Mexico (Weaver, 1999).
Another reason as to why Costa Rica’s ecotourism industry is so profitable is because this country has a comparatively higher standard of living to that of the majority of other developing
countries (Weaver, 1999). Due to its high growth rates, economic stability and low crime rates, “Costa Rica has a per capita GDP of $6,7000, a literacy rate of 95%, and female life expectancy of
nearly 79 years” (Weaver, 1999, para. 11). In contrast, neighboring Costa Rica is El Salvador who generates “a per capita GDP of just $3,000, a literacy rate of 71%, and a female life expectancy of
about 74 years” (Weaver, 1999, para. 11). When measuring Costa Rica up against the developing countries of Africa, these inequalities are even more substantial (Weaver, 1999). Thus, Costa Rica
provides tourists with the ability to experience a way of life distinct from the developed world, while allowing these same tourists to evade the despairing realities of poverty within the Global South
(Hearne & Selinas, 2002)
Because Costa Rica’s reputation amongst environmentalists has been pivotal to the success of
their ecotourism industry, this has prompted them to formulate a strong environmental lobby
(Buchsbaum, 2004). This lobby has gone on to facilitate political support of environmental concerns,
as well as having significant impact on influencing conservation initiatives (Buchsbaum, 2004).
While increased environmental regulations on travelling often impede profits initially, the gradual,
yet steady, inflation of wealth from upholding such an environmentally conscious image has
influenced the ecotourism industry to act in support of most of the government’s conservation
initiatives (Kaimowitz & Sheil, 2007).
Costa Rica has successfully established a stable ecotourism industry, generating profits from
preserving their natural resources (Kaimowitz & Sheil, 2007). However, although Costa Rica’s
ecotourism sector has received much support from avid travelers, environmentalists, politicians, and
economists alike, there are still many individuals who argue that ecotourism, as a whole, is largely
incapable of acting as the environmental development tool it has largely been portrayed to be (Stem
et al., 2010). One of the dominant criticisms is that most ecotourism projects are neither
economically nor environmentally sustainable in the long-term, as it is often developers or
government officials who become more concerned with generating large economic revenue rather
than with efforts of conservation (Medina, 2005). In regards to Costa Rica’s ecotourism industry
specifically, while it has generally been excluded from such criticisms, there has been instances
where its development has also endured environmental hardship, most notably when the market
demonstrated its ability to generate a large profit (Chant & Harrison, 1992). For example, Costa
Rica’s Bay of Papagayo, located on the Pacific Coast, was transformed into a mega–resort area,
complete with high–rise hotels, golf courses, and malls (Honey, 1999). This development project
ultimately exemplifies how Costa Rica deviated from the country’s original intentions of small–scale
local construction and critics argue that it stands as a beacon, signaling the end of truly sustainable
ecotourism in Costa Rica (McLauren, 1998).
