Many scientists have rendered the orange-colored toad extinct in the past years. Some connect this extinction to the volcanic eruptions, habitat destruction, and depletion of the ozone layer, chemical pollution, warming El Nino currents and winds or diseases caused by single-celled protozoan (Honey 12)
I will design and conduct field research on various topics of immediate relevance to locals and propose alternative approaches aimed at sustainable development. This will help in addressing challenges to conservation goals (Fennell 22)
Costa Rica's remarkable biodiversity provides a base for nature-based tourism. The diverse landscape, coffee farms, agricultural fields, stunning beaches, mosaic forests, and pastures offer tourists and tourists alike a natural haven for exploration of tropical biodiversity, rich culture, and good food (Klak 25)
(Egan, 2001). Many view ecotourism as a viable way to protect the natural environment and create social and economic benefits for local communities (Buchsbaum, 2004)
Ecotourism is the fastest growing sector of the tourism industry with an average annual growth rate of 20 to 30%. (Egan, 2001)
Ecotourism Defined Although there are several competing definitions of ecotourism, a commonly accepted explanation is it is "purposeful travel to natural areas to understand the culture 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)
The main reason Costa Rica has become such a popular destination for ecotourism is because it has an excellent national parks, a stable democratic government with no army, a pleasant climate, and friendly people (Buchsbaum, 2004). It also has one of the highest standards of living, the best public health care system, the best public education through the University level, and the highest literacy rate in Latin America (Honey, 1999)
The governments relaxed attitude towards foreign investors and logging companies is also not encouraging sustainability (Buchsbaum, 2004). Foreign money has not helped the local economy as much as anticipated because a large amount of money leaks out of the local communities to pay tour operators, to import products that appeal to foreign tourists, and to pay for tickets on foreign owned airlines (Lindsey, 2003)
IV. Ecotourism in Cuba In contrast to the large amount of foreign investment encouraged by the government in Costa Rica, the Cuban government maintains an active role in its tourism industry by owning, running, and regulating many of the tourism-based businesses including resort hotels (Stewart, 2006)
Coupled with a lack of commitment, conservation efforts result in development beyond sustainable levels (Buchsbaum, 2004). Another negative impact of ecotourism is that it can lead to an increase in the cost of living for local people (Wearing, 2001)
simply taking visitors to unique sites does not guarantee learning." (Kimmel, 1999, p
The attraction of unique cultures in ecotourism is often countered by the negative fact of a lack of knowledge about environmental issues. (Sanborn, 2005, p
The work of Wyels (2003) entitled: "Common Ground for Farmers and Forests: Alarmed by Signs of Extensive Deforestation Over the Past Decades, Groups in Costa Rica are Developing Programs that Combine Ecological Awareness and Sustainable Agriculture," states that Costa Rica was covered 99% by lush forests however, this has been reduced to only 17% in forests in Costa Rica today. While Costa Rica has long been an attractive travel destination however, as noted by Wyels (2003) findings reported in a collaborative study between EARTH University and NASA that took and gathered photographs from space of Costa Rica relates that these photographs, taken over a period of time, offer grim prospects for the future of the country and, as a result, its ecotourism (Wyels, 2003)
Ecotourism is defined by the Ecotourism Society as "a responsible travel to natural areas which conserves the environment and improves the welfare of local people." (Merg, 2007) Ecotourism involves travel to natural destinations such as remote areas which are under environmental protection whether at the national, international, communal or private level
Ecotourism is defined by the Ecotourism Society as "a responsible travel to natural areas which conserves the environment and improves the welfare of local people." (Merg, 2007) Ecotourism involves travel to natural destinations such as remote areas which are under environmental protection whether at the national, international, communal or private level
¶ … Ecotourism: Cultural and Environmental Learning Ecotourism is becoming increasingly more important in the tourism industry due to the internal crises which include the economic recession, the SARS outbreak, terrorist attacks and the war on terrorism. (Chafe, 2004; p
simply taking visitors to unique sites does not guarantee learning." (Kimmel, 1999, p
The attraction of unique cultures in ecotourism is often countered by the negative fact of a lack of knowledge about environmental issues. (Sanborn, 2005, p
The work of Wyels (2003) entitled: "Common Ground for Farmers and Forests: Alarmed by Signs of Extensive Deforestation Over the Past Decades, Groups in Costa Rica are Developing Programs that Combine Ecological Awareness and Sustainable Agriculture," states that Costa Rica was covered 99% by lush forests however, this has been reduced to only 17% in forests in Costa Rica today. While Costa Rica has long been an attractive travel destination however, as noted by Wyels (2003) findings reported in a collaborative study between EARTH University and NASA that took and gathered photographs from space of Costa Rica relates that these photographs, taken over a period of time, offer grim prospects for the future of the country and, as a result, its ecotourism (Wyels, 2003)
International influence aggravates the problem by undermining the government ability to monitor or enforce these measures (Pat). Case Study: Ecotourism in India One of the 12 mega diversity countries in the world is India (Bora 2011)