| volution of 'Ecotourism' | | | | enjoying the scenery and its wild plants and |
| As a world-wide leader in nature-oriented travel, | | | | animals, as well as any existing cultural aspects |
| with 5% of the world's biodiversity within only | | | | (both past and present) found in these areas." His |
| .035% of the world's land, Costa Rica continues to | | | | hope was that the result would be that people |
| be in the spotlight for ecotourism. Since 1993, | | | | would become more knowledgeable and aware of |
| tourism has been the top generator of foreign | | | | nature and thus likely to be more involved in |
| revenues for Costa Rica, surpassing both bananas | | | | conservation issues. This very desire came to |
| and coffee. The ICT (Costa Rican Institute for | | | | fruition. |
| Tourism) acknowledges that the tourism in Costa | | | | He revised the definition in 1993, which was then |
| Rica has become mainly ecotourism. It is easy to | | | | adopted by the IUCN in 1996 as its official |
| see why, with Costa Rica's 26 national parks, 58 | | | | definition, which states: "Ecotourism is |
| wildlife refuges, 32 protected zones, 15 wetland | | | | environmentally responsible travel to relatively |
| areas or mangroves, 11 forest reserves, 8 | | | | undisturbed natural areas, in order to enjoy, study |
| biological reserves, as well as 12 other | | | | and appreciate nature (and any accompanying |
| conservation regions. The array of flora and fauna | | | | cultural features, both past and present), that |
| is staggering. Martha Honey of the CESD (Center | | | | promotes conservation, has low negative visitor |
| on Ecotourism and Sustainable Development) cites | | | | impact, and provides for beneficially active |
| the following: | | | | socio-economic involvement of local populations." |
| "This West Virginia-sized country boasts more bird | | | | What began as a niche in the early 80's has |
| species (850) than are found in the United States | | | | grown exponentially with far-reaching effects. |
| and Canada combined, more variety of butterflies | | | | From the roots of ecotourism sprang 'responsible' |
| than in all of Africa, more than 6,000 kinds of | | | | and 'sustainable' tourism, and as seen above |
| flowering plants (including 1,500 varieties of | | | | ecotourism is now defined to include the latter. In |
| orchids), and over 35,000 species of insects. | | | | October of 2008, United Nations Foundation |
| Costa Rica is, as former minister of natural | | | | Founder and Chairman Ted Turner joined the |
| resources Alvaro Umana put it, a biological | | | | Rainforest Alliance, the United Nations Environment |
| superpower." (Honey 2003) | | | | Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations World |
| All of this natural wonder in the most stable | | | | Tourism Organization (UNWTO) to announce the |
| country both socially and politically in Central | | | | first-ever globally relevant sustainable tourism |
| America, perhaps even all of Latin America, is | | | | criteria at the IUCN World Conservation Congress. |
| heaven for especially the ecotraveler. To its | | | | The new criteria was developed to offer a |
| credit, Costa Rica has the highest percentage of | | | | common guide to the burgeoning practice of |
| protected land in the world (Fenell and Eagles | | | | sustainable tourism and to help consumers, |
| 1990). Further, Costa Rica has preserved these | | | | businesses, governments, non-governmental |
| lands and natural habitats in such a way that they | | | | organizations and education institutions to ensure |
| are more accessible to tourists than those of any | | | | that tourism has positive, rather than negative |
| other country in the region (Budowski 1993). The | | | | effects on local communities and the environment. |
| small size of the country is a huge factor as well; | | | | To find out more, check out |
| a traveler has the opportunity to visit more | | | | In order to promote tourism providers that |
| destinations per visit if desired. | | | | practice sustainability, the Costa Rican ICT |
| The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) | | | | developed the Center for Sustainable Tourism |
| defines ecotourism as: | | | | (CST) which provides certification to businesses |
| "Responsible travel to natural areas that | | | | that are committed to sustainable practices. The |
| conserves the environment and improves the | | | | certification is given at levels from 1 to 5 green |
| well-being of local people." | | | | leaves, with many businesses currently certified |
| The history of ecotourism is interesting. The term | | | | and in process. The Rainforest Alliance recognizes |
| 'ecotourism' was coined in 1983 by Hector | | | | the CST as a valid entity to promote and ensure |
| Ceballos-Lascurain, one of Mexico's top architects | | | | sustainable practices in Costa Rica. Countless |
| as well as renowned environmentalist and | | | | others in tourism are involved in sustainable |
| Ecotourism expert. Ceballos-Lascurain is the | | | | practices in Costa Rica that are under the radar. |
| Director General of the Programme of | | | | Also there is the newly formed Costa Rican |
| International Consultancy on Ecotourism (PICE), | | | | National Chamber of Ecotourism (CANAECO) |
| and special advisor on Ecotourism to the World | | | | which is Rainforest Alliance affiliated. With all of |
| Conservation Union (IUCN). The following | | | | these organizations to help promote and enforce |
| definitions are quoted from Ceballos-Lascurain in | | | | authenticity, backed by huge consumer demand, |
| an article Meet the Architect of Ecotourism. | | | | there is sure to be more and more in the tourism |
| 1983 definition: "Ectourism is tourism that involves | | | | sector on board to protect Costa Rica's priceless |
| traveling to relatively undisturbed natural areas | | | | ecosystems and communities. |
| with the specific object of studying, admiring and | | | | |