Running Header: ECO-TOURISM

Eco-Tourism - A Sustainable Livelihood for Local Inhabitants

Table of Contents

Abstractii

Introduction1

Thesis Statement1

Background1

Discussion3

Role of Tourism3

Positive Impacts of Tourism3

Negative Impacts of Tourism5

Reason of Choosing Ecotourism8

Conclusion13

References15

Abstract

Tourism plays a major role in a country's economy. It is the most important concern for the country to maintain the stable economic and social condition. Tourism provides various means and opportunities to open new fields for business and employment. Most of countries' economy depends on the tourism and this requires development of the states infrastructure and natural vegetation to attract tourist from all over world. The aim of this paper is to discuss Ecotourism as a provider of sustainable means to improve socio-economic development and to provide a sustainable livelihood for the local inhabitants. Ecotourism is regarded as responsible and quality tourism which undertakes to contribute balance between conservation and development, provide maximum incentives for local people and tourists as well, promote local culture and economy, and increase the maximum local participation. Tourism not only provides economic sustainability for a country but environmental and cultural preservation as well. Apart from all these important factors, tourism also helps in social issues related to the poverty and inequality. Another important benefit of tourism is that, it provides a sustainable livelihood for the local inhabitants.Eco-Tourism - A Sustainable Livelihood for Local Inhabitants

Introduction

The main concern for this research is to look for the importance of ecotourism in providing the better means for the local people to improve their social position. It is provided that this research requires understanding the importance of preserving the culture, tradition and environment of a country and importance of these factors in attracting the tourists and as a result providing better opportunities to these local people to expand their business. It identifies the role of ecotourism in the development of a country's economy. This research will also study the importance of ecotourism in the prevention of ecosystem and environment of the country which is the main concern for the ecologist and environmentalists.

Thesis Statement

Ecotourism provides a sustainable means to improve socio-economic development and to provide a sustainable livelihood for the local inhabitants.

Background

If we consider the history of tourism development, humans have travelled since the beginning of time when ancient people used to move from one place to another. The purposes of travel were trade, religious obligations, economic benefits, war, migration, and many others. According to Theobald, in the Roman period, wealthy aristocrats and high government officials also travelled for pleasure (Theobald, 2005). In this way, the origin of tourism is really very old. Stronza estimates that the history of modern travel and tourism is about a century old and that by now humans have to travel to most corners of the planet (Stronza, 2008) and even beyond the planet, known as space tourism. Tourism has emerged as a gigantic industry which contributes an estimated 3 billion US dollars in annual revenue and about 10 percent of all employment (Honey and Rome, 2000). Furthermore, due to the rapid process of globalization and with the help ...