Nature Conservation and Nature-Based Tourism: A Paradox?

Abstract

Throughout the world, areas have been reserved for their exceptional environmental values, such as high biodiversity. Financial, political and community support for these protected areas is often dependent on visitation by nature-based tourists. This visitation inevitably creates environmental impacts, such as the construction and maintenance of roads, tracks and trails; trampling of vegetation and erosion of soils; and propagation of disturbance of resilient species, such as weeds. This creates tension between the conservation of environmental values and visitation. This review examines some of the main features of environmental impacts by nature-based tourists through a discussion of observational and manipulative studies. It explores the disturbance context and unravels the management implications of detecting impacts and understanding their causes. Regulation of access to visitor areas is a typical management response, qualified by the mode of access (e.g., vehicular, ambulatory). Managing access and associated impacts are reviewed in relation to roads, tracks and trails; wildlife viewing; and accommodations. Responses to visitor impacts, such as environmental education and sustainable tour experiences are explored. The review concludes with ten recommendations for further research in order to better resolve the tension between nature conservation and nature-based tourism.

Realms of Visitors’ Experience to Ecotourism in Bulusan Volcano Natural Park, Province of Sorsogon, Philippines

“…In this sense, the environment changes people to go outside places to find solitude and escape from societal stress in the urban. Tourist travel with nature because they want to feel and learn from the natural environment, socially engage with other people with the same interest, and actively interact with park's resources/ activities during their visit (Wolf, Croft, & Green, 2019).…”

“…The feeling of being isolated from the urban society is what BVNP makes more significant to visitors. According to Wolf, Croft and Green (2019). ), environment changes people to go outside places to find solitude and escape from societal stress in the urban.…”

Tourist Traps: Assessing the Role of Tourism in Sustaining Life Below Water

“…The potential for marine ecotourism within Southeast Asia is substantial, yet research into the impacts of nature-based tourism on marine environments is limited (Wolf et al 2019). A large criticism of ecotourism is its inability to divert local users away from consumptive marine resources (Stronza et al 2019).…”

Preface: Special Issue on Environmental Impact of Nature-Based Tourism

“…Wolf et al [7] discuss observational and experimental investigations of the impacts of tourism and recreational activities on wildlife, and some complexities involving interacting factors, such as the effect of vegetation structure on tourism impacts on wildlife and subtle effects not easily detected in short-term studies. They also discuss factors important to conservation management, such as types of access to wilderness areas, planning of roads and tracks, accommodation issues, visitor management via zoning and education, and the engaging of visitor interest by adopting low-impact technology for wildlife viewing.…”