Small islands as ecotourism destinations : a Central Mediterranean perspective

A prerequisite for ecotourism development is the presence of natural environments, normally exhibited in protected areas, which serve as ecotourism venues. Little attention has been given to Mediterranean islands in terms of ecotourism. In this paper, nine islands in the central Mediterranean region were studied through a case study approach to investigate their potential as ecotourism destinations, taking into account the presence of protected areas and related aspects, including spatial dimensions and quality, to fulfil ecotourists. Larger islands with higher population densities were found to experience habitat fragmentation, and protected areas were thus in some cases relatively small and dispersed. In contrast, smaller, less populated islands were found to be more ideal ecotourism destinations due to limited anthropogenic impact and their capacity to fulfil the expectations of the ‘true specialists’, also known as ‘hard ecotourists’. Quality of ecotourism venues was found to affect ecotourist satisfaction. Ideal ecotourism sites on heavily impacted islands were found on the island periphery, in coastal and marine locations, with marine ecotourism serving as the ideal ecotourism product on such islands.peer-reviewe

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ECOTOURISM CLUSTERS AND INNOVATION MILIEU IN THE REGION OF SOUTH-EASTERN EUROPE

Ecotourism destinations can be characterised with typically standalone tourismsuppliers. Although competition can be useful, but often cooperation among such smalloperators yields significantly better overall results. Harmonising nature conservation andtourism is also an important condition of sustainability. Availability of financial assets is also important; but contrary to conventional wisdomthe main questions is not the capital available for innovation or the government’s grants.According to research, success does not depend on the support of the government, butprimarily on the environment, or the so-called milieu of innovation (CAMAGNI, P.R. 1992).Based on our research we can develop ecotourism clusters in peripheral EU countries thatare economically and socially successful and at the same time provide a liveableenvironment.Innovative environment (milieu), Ecotourism, Ecotourism Clusters, Networks, Spatialdevelopment

Artikel Isna Fitria - Society Reception on the Marine Ecotourism in Minneapolitan Region of Sidoarjo District

Desa Balongtani Jabon Sidoarjo memiliki potensi yang besar namun perlu mendapatkan dukungan dari semua pihak. Dalam bidang kesehatan Desa Balong Tani memiliki beberapa Posyandu aktif dengan kader yang handal dan berkomitmen baik dalam meningkatkan kesehatan ibu dan anak. Permasalahan yang terdapat di Desa Balongtani antara lain kebiasaan warga menggunakan MP-ASI (Makanan Pendamping ASI) instan, pembinaan kader kurang inovatif dan masih terdapat bayi balita dengan gizi kurang dan BGM (Bawah Garis Merah). Pengabdian Masyarakat PPDM (Program Pengembangan Desa Mitra) ini mengoptimalisasi 1000 HPK di desa Balongtani Jabon Sidoarjo melalui kegiatan sosialisasi dan pemahaman terhadap 1000 HPK kepada kader dan kelompok sasaran, pendampingan pembuatan MP-ASI untuk bayi balita usia 6 – 24 bulan dan pembuatan produk makanan kaya gizi bagi ibu hamil. Selain itu dilakukan revitalisasi Posyandu dan strategi pemasaran produk MP-ASI. Program ini melakukan pendekatan penyelesaikan masalah melalui pemberdayaan kader dan kelompok sasaran dengan target meningkatkan tata kelola masyarakat, sumber daya manusia, serta perbaikan sumber daya alam melalui tata kelola layanan Posyandu Kata kunci : Gizi, 1000 HPK, kader Posyandu,, MP-ASI Balongtani Village Jabon Sidoarjo has great potential but needs to get support from all parties. In the health field Balong Tani village has several active Posyandu with cadres who are reliable and committed both in improving the health of mothers and children. The problems in the Balong Tani Village include the habit of residents using instant MP-ASI (Breast Milk Complementary Food), the cadre coaching less innovative and there are still under nutrition toddlers and BGM (Below the Red Line). This Community Service PPDM optimizes 1000 HPK in the village of Balongtani Jabon Sidoarjo through socialization activities and understanding of 1000 HPK to cadres and target groups, mentoring to make MP-ASI (Breast Milk Complementary Food) for infants aged 6-24 months and the manufacture of nutrient-rich food products for pregnant women. In addition, the Posyandu revitalization and marketing strategies for MP-ASI (Breast Milk Complementary Food) products were carried out. This program approaches the problem solving through empowering cadres and target groups with the target of improving community governance, human resources, and improving natural resources through the management of Posyandu services. Keywords: Nutrition, the first thousand days of life, Posyandu cadres, MP-AS

Future Community-Based Ecotourism (CBET) development

Ecotourism is an alternative form of tourism and is usually confused with natural and cultural tourism.CBET is fast becoming a popular biodiversity conservation tool that develops and benefits the local community. Based on the context of conservation theory and practice, Community-Based Ecotourism (CBET) is a form of community-based natural resource management. However, a sustainable CBET development through Community Capacity Building (CCB)programs is not something that it easily achievable. Local community’s capacity varies from one culture to another. It takes a high level of community participation, in order for it to come to a level where the community members themselves are motivated to participate and contribute to the development of the program. This fully qualitative research involved 15 respondents from the community of Kg. Selai, Bekok in Johor, Malaysia. The result show there are five factors that sustained the ecotourism development based for Orang Asli Community in Kg. Selai, namely, existing CBET development, past CBET development, local community participation in planning stage of tourism, local participation in implementation stage of tourism and participation in nature conservation

Clusters and Innovation in Ecotourism Development

Competitiveness, innovation and the national innovation system (NIS) which connects them, have been transformed and are continually changing in our postindustrial society. This essay investigates the origin and the changes of such systems as well as their main models. The modern state does not only subsidize the competitiveness of its own national economy, as its competitiveness firstly depends on the underlying innovative environment, the so-called ‘innovation milieu’ and the national innovation system, which binds the system together. At a national level it is indispensable for the development of innovation, that the economic policymakers build up a coherent system for promoting tourism. Other tools exist for the development of ecotourism in our region beyond fi nancial sponsoring and these state measures can also be realized. A study of economic co-operation systems and clusters together with innovation progress shows the Italian economic model as one of the most successful in modern Europe. The research on ecotourism clusters and a perceptional research in ‘Belsõ-Somogy’ Ecologic Network are the basis for developing an ecotourism cluster model which is applicable in the Hungarian National Parks and Nature Reserve Areas.innovation,national innovation system,development,tourism,ecotourism clusters

Nature-based tourism in the Algarve: a fact or a myth?

The Algarve is a mature destination in the south of Portugal and is mainly well-known for its offerings of sun and sea. In addition to strong seasonal changes, the region also faces strong competition from other nearby destinations, which has affected its ability to better attract tourists. Regional stakeholders have recognized the need to diversify the tourist experience, and a strong effort has been dedicated to the development of complementary tourist products, with special attention to eco-tourism. The present study uses data from a survey of tourists who visited the Algarve in December 2010 (low season) to determine the extent to which tourists visiting the region would actively search for nature-related activities, and the profile of these individuals. In particular, the study aims to understand whether these tourists share environmentally friendly values or, instead, have chosen the Algarve based on its attributes of traditional appealing climatic conditions and beaches. Depending on whether nature-based tourism in the Algarve is a fact or a myth, strategies for repositioning the destination can be adapted, new tourist products can be proposed and communication campaigns may need to be rethought.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Impact of payments for environmental services and protected areas on local livelihoods and forest conservation in northern Cambodia

The potential impacts of payments for environmental services (PES) and protected areas (PAs) on environmental outcomes and local livelihoods in developing countries are contentious and have been widely debated. The available evidence is sparse, with few rigorous evaluations of the environmental and social impacts of PAs and particularly of PES. We measured the impacts on forests and human well-being of three different PES programs instituted within two PAs in northern Cambodia, using a panel of intervention villages and matched controls. Both PES and PAs delivered additional environmental outcomes relative to the counterfactual: reducing deforestation rates significantly relative to controls. PAs increased security of access to land and forest resources for local households, benefiting forest resource users but restricting households’ ability to expand and diversify their agriculture. The impacts of PES on household well-being were related to the magnitude of the payments provided. The two higher paying market-linked PES programs had significant positive impacts, whereas a lower paying program that targeted biodiversity protection had no detectable effect on livelihoods, despite its positive environmental outcomes. Households that signed up for the higher paying PES programs, however, typically needed more capital assets; hence, they were less poor and more food secure than other villagers. Therefore, whereas the impacts of PAs on household well-being were limited overall and varied between livelihood strategies, the PES programs had significant positive impacts on livelihoods for those that could afford to participate. Our results are consistent with theories that PES, when designed appropriately, can be a powerful new tool for delivering conservation goals whilst benefiting local people. El Impacto de los Pagos por Servicios Ambientales y Áreas Protegidas sobre la Subsistencia Local y la Conservación del Bosque en el Norte de Camboya RESUMEN: Los impactos potenciales de los pagos por servicios ambientales (PSA) y áreas protegidas (APs) sobre los resultados ambientales y las subsistencias locales en los países en desarrollo son polémicos y se han debatido ampliamente. La evidencia disponible es escasa; ha habido pocas evaluaciones rigurosas de los impactos ambientales y sociales de las APs y particularmente los PSA. Medimos el impacto sobre los bosques y el bienestar humano en tres diferentes programas de PSA que se llevan a cabo dentro de dos APs en el norte de Camboya usando un panel de aldeas de intervención y controles emparejados. Tanto los PSA como las APs brindaron resultados ambientales adicionales en relación a los contrafácticos, esto quiere decir que redujeron las tasas de deforestación significativamente en relación a los controles. Las áreas protegidas incrementaron el acceso seguro a los recursos del suelo y el bosque para las viviendas locales, beneficiando a los usuarios de los recursos del bosque pero restringiendo la habilidad de las viviendas para expandirse y diversificar su agricultura. Los impactos de los pagos por servicios ambientales sobre el bienestar de las viviendas estuvieron relacionados con la magnitud de los pagos proporcionados. Los dos programas de PSA de mayor paga y con conexión al mercado tuvieron impactos positivos significativos, mientras que un programa de menor paga con el objetivo de proteger a la biodiversidad no tuvo un efecto detectable sobre las viviendas, a pesar de sus resultados ambientales positivos. Las viviendas que se inscribieron a los programas de PSA con mayor paga, sin embargo, necesitaban típicamente más bienes capitales, por lo que eran menos pobres y tenían mayor seguridad alimentaria que otros aldeanos. Por esto, mientras los impactos de las APs sobre el bienestar de las viviendas fueron limitados en general y variaron dependiendo de las estrategias de subsistencia, los programas de PSA tuvieron impactos positivos significativos sobre las viviendas para aquellos que podían costear participar. Nuestros resultados son congruentes con las teorías de que los PSA, cuando se designan apropiadamente, pueden ser una herramienta poderosa y novedosa para obtener objetivos de conservación mientras se beneficia a la gente local

Ecotourism and environmental conservation in small islands in the east coast of peninsular Malaysia

Many small islands off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia have become wellknown destinations both to foreign as well as local tourists. However, as tourism authorities, hotels and tour operators increasingly focus on mass tourism and economics, environmental degradation and other issues are affecting tourism negatively. In recent decades, Malaysia has realised the need for protection of environmental attractions and has embarked on many conservation programmes, but most of them are ad hoc and not sustained. This article examines how tourists perceive environmental conservation, willingness to pay, reasons for coming, length of stay, favourite destinations, favourite activities, etc. The results of questionnaire interviews show that small islands off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia are currently facing serious environmental degradation, with little or no comprehensive conservation, poor enforcement, with no clearcut vision from the authorities as to their future. The study shows that there is a need for a well-planned vision of development for the small islands and stricter control from the authorities. Without better control and implementation of a vision of sustainable development, it is envisaged that these small islands will continue to deteriorate and lose their glamour and attractions gradually. They need to be conserved and stay competitive to survive, given the competition from islands in neighbouring countrie

EVALUATING NATURE-BASED TOURISM USING THE NEW ENVIRONMENTAL PARADIGM

Nature-based tourism (NBT), alternatively known as ecotourism, is a rapidly expanding area in the tourism travel sector. States such as Louisiana with a well established urban-based tourism industry may have expansion opportunities through development of complementary nature-based tourism. This study analyzes the decision to participate in NBT among Louisiana tourists.Nature tourism, Ecotourism, NEP, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Barriers to local residents’ participation in community-based tourism: lessons from Houay Kaeng Village in Laos

This study aims to identify the barriers to local residents’ participation in the process of community-based tourism planning and development in a developing country. Focusing on the case of Houay Kaeng Village in Sayabouly Province, Laos, a qualitative exploratory study was conducted by adopting in-depth interviews with the various levels of local community’s members. The key barriers to local community participation identified in this research include: (1) low education levels and lack of knowledge about tourism; (2) poor living conditions and lack of financial support; (3) busy daily routine and lack of time for tourism participation; (4) local community’s perception of tourism as a seasonal business with low income; and (5) power disparities, institutional disincentives and local’s distrust in authorities. The results suggest that only a small number of the local residents in the village were satisfied with their current and on-going participation expressing their strong willingness to continue in participating in the process of tourism planning and development, whereas a large group of the residents were not willing to do it at all in the future. The paper further discusses implications for the government and communities in regard to community-based sustainable tourism development