Chapter 1 Nature of Tourism in Malaysia

Chapter 1 Nature
of tourism in
Malaysia
Hb101 Malaysia Eco-Tourism
LEARNING OUTCOME
•Upon learning this chapter, you
would be able to:
•Define Ecotourism
•Explain the principles of Ecotourism
•Identify the different dimensions of
ecotourism
•Explain the importance of sustainable
development in Ecotourism
2 HB101 Chapter 1 Nature of tourism in Malaysia

WHAT IS ECOTOURISM?
3 Chapter 1 Nature of tourism in Malaysia

ECOTOURISM
•ECO from the word 'ecology'

which itself is derived from the
Greek word ‘oikos’ meaning house
or habitat.
4
ECOTOURISM
“a form of travel in which the natural

environment is the primary focus and it is this
element which provides us with a simple, yet
core, starting point in understanding the
ecotourism phenomenon; particularly as a
specific form of alternative tourism”
5
Definition of Ecotourism:
“Ecotourism is travel to fragile, pristine, and
usually protected areas that strives to be low
impact and (usually) small scale. It helps
educate the traveler; provides funds for
conservation; directly benefits the economic
development and political empowerment of
local communities; and fosters respect for
different cultures and for human rights.”
-Honey (1999, p. 25)
UNWTO DEFINITION
•Ecotourism refers to forms of tourism which
have the following characteristics:
• All nature-based forms of tourism
• Contains educational and interpretation features.
• General, not exclusively organised
• Minimises negative impacts (natural & socio-cultural)
• Supports the maintenance of natural areas
•Generating economic benefits
•Provide alternative employment and income
opportunities
•Increasing awareness towards the conservation
Source: The British Ecotourism Market, UNWTO 2002

ECOTOURISM
•Theme in ecotourism
Nature -based
Preservation
Education
Sustainability
Distribution of benefits
Ethics/Responsibility
8 HB101 Chapter 1 Nature of tourism in Malaysia

PRINCIPLES OF ECOTOURISM
Minimize environmental impact
Respect host cultures
Maximize benefits to local people
Maximize tourist satisfaction

the notion of
movement or
travel from one
location to
another.
ecotourism is
nature- based.
Fundamentals
ecotourism is
conservation-
led
it has an
educative role.
ECOTOURISM
ECOTOURISM - FUNDAMENTALS
1. The notion of movement or travel

from one location to another.
•travel should be restricted to relatively

undisturbed or protected natural areas as
ecotourism's focus is fundamentally on
experiencing natural areas because of their
natural, historical, and cultural richness
11
2 . Ecotourism is nature- based.

• Rehabilitating degraded areas
• protecting endangered animal
habitats
• Removing litter from protected areas,
planting native spec ies, eradicating
noxious weeds , and carrying out flora
and fauna surveys

3. Ecotourism is
conservation-led
cultural and environmental

awareness , environmental
conservation, and
empowerment of local people
upon whose resources
ecotourism

4 . It has an
educative role.
• awareness of nature related
issues and a desire to learn
more about the environment
• emphasis is placed on nature
appreciation , education, and
interpretation through the
explanation of 'concepts ,
meaning, and
interrelationships of natural
phenomena '
• Tourists, operators , local
community etc

Characteristics of Genuine or Authentic Ecotourism:
1. Involves travel to natural destinations

2. Minimizes impact
3. Builds environmental awareness
4. Provides direct financial benefits for
conservation
5. Provides financial benefits and empowerment
for local people
6. Respects local culture
7. Supports human rights and democratic
movements.”
-Honey, 1999, p. 22-24

Standards that Characterize Ecotourism:
1. Tourism activity in relatively undisturbed

natural settings
2. Minimal negative impacts on the environment
3. Conservation of natural and cultural heritage
4. Active involvement with and benefit to local
community
5. Tourism-generated profits contribute to sustainable
development
6. Educational experience for visitors that incorporates
both natural and cultural heritage
-Ceballos-Lascuráin
Guiding Principles for Ecotourism:
1. Tourist activities must not degrade the resource

2. Visitors should be offered educational first-hand experiences
3. All stakeholders (host community, government, non-governmental
organizations, industry, and tourists) must be involved
4. Tourism must respect the intrinsic value of natural resources
5. Tourism cannot overtax the resource supplies of the local region
6. Stakeholders must be encouraged to develop partnerships
7. Tourist revenue must provide conservation, scientific, or cultural
benefits to the resource, local community, and industry as a whole
8. These benefits must be long-term.
-Pam Wight (1993)

Evolution of Ecotourism
1. Scientific, conservation, and

nongovernmental organization
circles
2. Multilateral aid institutions
3. Developing countries
4. The travel industry and traveling
public
Components of ecotourism
Eco tourism tends to have three main

components:
1- natural– based
2- sustainable
3- educational
19
Components of ecotourism
1-The natural– based component:
• As ecotourism initially developed in tropical regions, the

natural-based experiences have been seen to take place in
a protected areas, which is an area dedicated primarily to
the protection and enjoyment of natural or cultural
heritage, to maintenance of biodiversity and or
maintenance of ecological life-support services.
• A part from protected areas, other attractions include

national parks, wildlife and biological reserves, coastal
and marine areas, which are simultaneously used by both
natural-based tourists and ecotourists.
20
Activities of ecotourism in a natural setting:
The activities of natural-based tourism can
be distinguished into three main categories:
• Activities dependent on nature (e.g bird

watching)
• Activities enhanced by nature (e.g camping)
• Activities where the natural setting is

incidental (e.g swimming)
21
2-Sustainability component:
• One of the significant aspects of ecotourism is

sustainability. sustainable development as
growth that brings benefits to people today
without damaging resources or prospects for
future generations.
• A primary means of maintaining sustainability is

by limiting tourist numbers and therefore the
possibility for environmental degradation.
22
3-Educational components:
• Ecotourism appeals to people who wish

to interact with the environment and to
varying degrees, develop their
knowledge, comprehension and
appreciation of it.
• The aim of ecotourism is to educate the

visitor about the value of natural
environments
23
To be continued…
24

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Chapter 1 Nature

2 HB101 Chapter 1 Nature of tourism in Malaysia

3 Chapter 1 Nature of tourism in Malaysia

•ECO from the word 'ecology'

“a form of travel in which the natural

Source: The British Ecotourism Market, UNWTO 2002

7 Chapter 1 Nature of tourism in Malaysia

8 HB101 Chapter 1 Nature of tourism in Malaysia

Minimize environmental impact

Respect host cultures

Maximize benefits to local people

Maximize tourist satisfaction

9 Chapter 1 Nature of tourism in Malaysia

1. The notion of movement or travel

•travel should be restricted to relatively

2 . Ecotourism is nature- based.

12 Chapter 1 Nature of tourism in Malaysia

cultural and environmental

13 Chapter 1 Nature of tourism in Malaysia

14 Chapter 1 Nature of tourism in Malaysia

1. Involves travel to natural destinations

-Honey, 1999, p. 22-24

1. Tourism activity in relatively undisturbed

1. Tourist activities must not degrade the resource

-Pam Wight (1993)

1. Scientific, conservation, and

Eco tourism tends to have three main

1-The natural– based component:

• As ecotourism initially developed in tropical regions, the

• A part from protected areas, other attractions include

• Activities dependent on nature (e.g bird

• Activities enhanced by nature (e.g camping)

• Activities where the natural setting is

• One of the significant aspects of ecotourism is

• A primary means of maintaining sustainability is

• Ecotourism appeals to people who wish

• The aim of ecotourism is to educate the

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