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Article Title:
Ecotourism in Developing Countries: A Critical Analysis of the Promise, the Reality and the Future
by Kennedy Magio O., Monica Velarde V., Maria Aida Santillan N., and Carlos Alberto Rios G.

Abstract:
Ecotourism is often positioned as an alternative to mass tourism, however, the understanding and implementation of the concept has been riddled with uncertainty. The ideal balance of conserving and developing at the same time is considered paradoxical not just for ecotourism but also related concepts like sustainability. Using examples and empirical insights from Kenya and M?xico, this paper critically examines the nature and application of ecotourism in developing countries. The study adopted triangulation method which involved examination of two bases of information, on the one hand information from interviews with opinion leaders and scholars in the tourism sector and on the other hand secondary information including books, journals, and periodical bulletins. It was found that ecotourism has not achieved the objective of integrating conservation of biodiversity and the socioeconomic development of adjacent communities; one reason for the existing implementation problems has been the concept itself and how it has been operationalized. Furthermore, ecotourism in the developing countries has been plagued with issues related to non-realization of promised benefits, none or weak development structures and absence of efficient governance and management. The study recommends greater coordination between the stakeholders involved in ecotourism and of key interest, the participation of the government and the local community. The significance of the present study is twofold; theoretical and empirical, the study gives a complete understanding of why the two countries have not been able to sustainably develop ecotourism and provides the concerned parties with crucial insights on the possible actions for achieving the objectives of ecotourism.

Keywords: ecotourism, conservation, development, developing countries.

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