Ecotourism Policy

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Ecotourism Policy
ECOTOURISM POLICY

• Universal vs Self-Regulation
• Melanie Barker

MELANIE BARKER
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Overview

• Introduction
• Benefits of formal policy
• Problems with formal policy
• Benefits of informal policy
• Problems with informal policy
• A middle ground
• Conclusion

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Introduction

• Why is ecotourism policy so difficult to
  implement?

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• Encompasses many disciplines
• Encompasses many perspectives

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The Confusion Begins

• Universal Policy
• Self-Regulating Policy
• Level of Compliance
• Vagueness
• Consumer Beware

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Universal Policy

• None in Canada
• Canadian Environmental Protection Act
• Many powers including inspection, investigation,
  seizure, injunctions, civil action
• How may the CEPA (or others) be relevant to
  ecotourism?

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Inherent Problems

• OfficialLand Mass Ratio is High
• Budget Restraints
• Changing Regulations
• Departmental Segregation
• Consistency

DNR
DFO
PARKS CAN.
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Self-regulation

• Self-motivated, Proactive
• Make the transition smoother and faster
• Operators prefer self-regulations
• Feel they know best how to manage their business
• Fear of losing control in the delivery of services

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Problems

• The principle fear of self-regulating businesses
  is that if left unchecked, tourism will
  contribute to a diverse range of social and
  ecological impacts (Fennell, 1999)

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• Puts compliant businesses at a competitive
  disadvantage (must distinguish themselves)
• Consumer Beware

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The Compromise

• What factors make a policy most appealing to all??

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Voluntary Guidelines
Reports to the Public
Encourages Compliance
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The Star System

• Could be scored by an independent body, which
  holds environmental protection in high esteem
• Preventative technology
• Ability to involve local economy
• Level of compliance
• Three-fold win

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Conclusion

• It is clearly evident that ecotourism policy is
  in its infancy stages
• It is highly complex and difficult to establish,
  monitor, and enforce policy

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• Solution must gap the bridge b/w formal and
  informal policy
• Need cooperation from government, operators and
  consumers

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• The bottom line is that without some form of
  effective management and policy, ecotourism will
  self-degrade resulting in the loss of a
  profitable business opportunity and irreplaceable
  resources

OR