Eco-tourism and Country park planning and management Lecture 12 Eco-tourism and Country park planning and management Outline o Country parks: origin and function Country park planning and management Ecotourism: origin and definitions Ecotourism potentials in HK e Constraints and limitatic Introduction Ecotourism is an off-shoot of tourism Tourism is the temporary movement away from immediate ho munities and daily work environments for usiness, pleasure and sundry reasons Tourism is the world's largest industry(WTTC et al, 1995) Comprises 6% of global gross national product(GNP) Q Annual turnover HK$31 trillion 9 Globe's biggest employer; ●10% of the workforce; o Infrastructure investment Q Provides rural opportunities Tourism comes in diferent ways 9 mass tourism. event tourism nature-based tourism cultural and heritage tourism. environmental tourism and eco-tourism etc ourism contribute to the following o financial support for protection and management of natural area O economic benefits for residents living near natural areas. and support for conservation among the residents o when the notion of sustainable development was raised after 1992, the concept of 'sustainable tourism followed It had many derivatives such as alternative tourism, green tourism, responsible tourism and eco-tourism What is ecotourism? Ecotourism is a component of the field of sustainable tourism Until recently, there has been some confusion surrounding the origin of the term 'ecotourism', as evident in the tremendous volume of literature on the topic. Origin and definition of Ecotourism Pio. Ecotourism dates at least to 1965 when Hetzer called for a rethinking of culture, education, and tourism, and promoted an ecological tourism concept Valentine(1991)notes that ecotourism appears in the literature in many forms as: adventure tourism nature-oriented tourism, alternative tourism, appropriate tourism, responsible tourism, ethical touri environmental-friendly travel, green tourism, sustainable tourism and nature tourism this list can extend with other special cases:- quality tourism, ethnic tourism, cultural tourism, socioecological tourism, photo safari tourism, dive tourism, and surfing tourism Enery, as well as appreciating cultural manifestations found in the area..while producing econome 1. The Ecotourism Society: "responsible travel that conserves the environment and sustains the well-being of Today, ecotourism is a concept that champions, o preservation-conservation;and sustainable development ideals Principles ofEcotourism There is the need to establish acceptable definitions, principles, guidelines and even certification; These processes should have regional biases, but there exists a general guiding principle Principles of Ecotourism As ecotourism guidelines are being developed, it is important to consider some issues but locally and globally
Eco-tourism and Country park planning and management 1 Lecture 12 Eco-tourism and Country park planning and management Outline: Country parks: origin and function Country park planning and management Ecotourism: origin and definitions Ecotourism potentials in HK Constraints and limitations Introduction Ecotourism is an off-shoot of tourism Tourism is the temporary movement away from immediate home/communities and daily work environments for business, pleasure and sundry reasons. Tourism is the world’s largest industry (WTTC et al., 1995). Comprises 6% of global gross national product (GNP) Annual turnover HK$31 trillion; Globe’s biggest employer; 10% of the workforce; Infrastructure investment; Provides rural opportunities; Tourism comes in different ways: mass tourism, event tourism, nature-based tourism, cultural and heritage tourism, environmental tourism and eco-tourism etc Tourism contribute to the following: ⚫ financial support for protection and management of natural areas; ⚫ economic benefits for residents living near natural areas; and ⚫ support for conservation among the residents. So when the notion of sustainable development was raised after 1992, the concept of ‘sustainable tourism’ followed; It had many derivatives such as alternative tourism, green tourism, responsible tourism and eco-tourism. What is ecotourism? Ecotourism is a component of the field of sustainable tourism. Until recently, there has been some confusion surrounding the origin of the term ‘ecotourism’, as evident in the tremendous volume of literature on the topic. Origin and definition of Ecotourism Ecotourism dates at least to 1965 when Hetzer called for a rethinking of culture, education, and tourism, and promoted an ecological tourism concept. Valentine (1991) notes that ecotourism appears in the literature in many forms as: adventure tourism, nature-oriented tourism, alternative tourism, appropriate tourism, responsible tourism, ethical tourism, environmental-friendly travel, green tourism, sustainable tourism and nature tourism….. this list can extend with other special cases: – quality tourism, ethnic tourism, cultural tourism, socioecological tourism, photo safari tourism, dive tourism, and surfing tourism 1. Ceballos-Lascurain (1987): “traveling to relatively undisturbed natural areas to study, admire and enjoy the scenery, as well as appreciating cultural manifestations found in the areas…… while producing economic benefit to local citizens.” 1. The Ecotourism Society: “responsible travel that conserves the environment and sustains the well-being of local people.” Today, ecotourism is a concept that champions; preservation-conservation; and sustainable development ideals Principles of Ecotourism There is the need to establish acceptable definitions, principles, guidelines and even certification; These processes should have regional biases, but there exists a general guiding principle Principles of Ecotourism As ecotourism guidelines are being developed, it is important to consider some issues but locally and globally:
Eco-tourism and Country park planning and management o The amount of control that the local communities maintain when ecotourism is developed Principles of Ecotourism o The efficiency and social fairness of current concepts of protected areas for long-term conservation Principles ofEcotourism oo The risk that unregulated tourists contribute to lowering genetic capital and traditional knowledge belonging to traditional communities(biopiracy) Generally in tourism 4 kinds of tourists have been identified (Lindberg, 1991): 8 Hard core- Scientists/special activities 86 Dedicated-visit protected areas/understand local natural and cultural history a Mainstream- people who primarily to take an unusual trip 8o Casual - visit nature incidentally as part of a broader trip Market profile/potential a However, there is a growing trend of market potential for ecotourist 8 Different profiles can be identified; age, gender, education, etc Socially aware Social issues oriented, politically/community active Visible achievement Success and career driven, recognition and status seekers; Young Optimism Young and progressive, experiential lifestyle, seek new and different things, trend setters, Look at me Young fun seekers, fashion followers Real Conservatism Observers of life; Something better Career and lifestyle driven Conventional Family Life asic needs Widows and pensioners, survival lifestyle. So how can ecotourism fit in Hong Kong? Introduction In Hong Kong, economic benefits may not necessarily be viable. But with Hong Kongs settings, ecotourism is possible In Hong Kong, 3 main themes can be promoted: nature-based education; and sustainability Why ecotourism in HK? COncerted effort of HKtB. aFcd. ngos and other tourist agencies OA clarion call by the community There is in hK a demand for nature based expeditions Ecotourism and/or nature based recreation is already supported by the country park policy that involves conservation, education and recreation The major objectives for ecotourism 1. Develop an affection for the region, through understanding its physiography and natural history 2. Enthusiasm and a sense of discovery 3. Emphasizing the processes of discovery, inquiry, and meaning 4. Need to be learner centred Potentials and Opportunities a)The statistics 8 Country parks, wild areas, marinas, White dolphin, Nature Walks, Mai Po Nature Reserve, etc 8 Despite its small area, Hong Kong has an array of landforms, and numerous islands Hong Kong has some of South Chinas most striking and valuable natural landscape This natural setting supports a variety of ecological habitats and a very diverse animals and plant species These are essential resources for the development of eco-tourism Some of the wild animals and plants are endemic to the territory; Some others are classified as globally
Eco-tourism and Country park planning and management 2 The amount of control that the local communities maintain when ecotourism is developed; Principles of Ecotourism The efficiency and social fairness of current concepts of protected areas for long-term conservation; Principles of Ecotourism The risk that unregulated tourists contribute to lowering genetic capital and traditional knowledge belonging to traditional communities (biopiracy); Generally in tourism 4 kinds of tourists have been identified (Lindberg, 1991): Hard core- Scientists/special activities Dedicated – visit protected areas/understand local natural and cultural history Mainstream – people who primarily to take an unusual trip Casual – visit nature incidentally as part of a broader trip. Market profile/potential However, there is a growing trend of market potential for ecotourist: Different profiles can be identified; age, gender, education, etc. Socially Aware Social issues oriented, politically/community active; Visible Achievement Success and career driven, recognition and status seekers; Young Optimism Young and progressive, experiential lifestyle, seek new and different things, trend setters; Look at Me Young fun seekers, fashion followers; Real Conservatism Observers of life; Something Better Career and lifestyle driven, Conventional Family Life Basic Needs Widows and pensioners, survival lifestyle. So how can ecotourism fit in Hong Kong? Introduction In Hong Kong, economic benefits may not necessarily be viable. But with Hong Kong’s settings, ecotourism is possible. In Hong Kong, 3 main themes can be promoted: nature-based; education; and sustainability. Why ecotourism in HK? Concerted effort of HKTB, AFCD, NGOs and other tourist agencies A clarion call by the community There is in HK a demand for nature based expeditions: Ecotourism and/or nature based recreation is already supported by the country park policy that involves conservation, education and recreation The major objectives for ecotourism: 1. Develop an affection for the region, through understanding its physiography and natural history; 2. Enthusiasm and a sense of discovery; 3. Emphasizing the processes of discovery, inquiry, and meaning; 4. Need to be learner centred Potentials and Opportunities a) The statistics….. Country parks, wild areas, marinas, White dolphin, Nature Walks, Mai Po Nature Reserve, etc. Despite its small area, Hong Kong has an array of landforms, and numerous islands. Hong Kong has some of South China’s most striking and valuable natural landscape. This natural setting supports a variety of ecological habitats and a very diverse animals and plant species. These are essential resources for the development of eco-tourism. Some of the wild animals and plants are endemic to the territory; Some others are classified as globally /
Eco-tourism and Country park planning and management regionally rare and endangered Hong Kong is particularly rich in avian diversity; there are about 450 species of bird This is equivalent to about one-third of that of the whole China and about 5 percents of the worlds tota At the Mai Po and Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site, about 300 species of birds are recorded and 1000s of bird use it as wintering site or stop-over place during migration Among them, about a quarter of the entire world population of the globally endangered Black-faced Spoonbill (currently estimated at about 700 birds) winters there Hong Kong lies within the transitional zone between two botanical and zoological regions, the tropical and temperate regions In addition to these geographical conditions, the well-developed protected area system also helps to preserve and ustain the natural landscape Despite being so small, Hong Kong has over 40% of the territory protected as country parks, special area, and Ramsar site; in percentage terms it is probably the highest in the world Indeed, ecotourism will continue to intensify in HK as issues associated with increased leisure time, work-related stress and concern for the natural environment continue to develop But there are a number of limitations to contend with!
Eco-tourism and Country park planning and management 3 regionally rare and endangered. Hong Kong is particularly rich in avian diversity; there are about 450 species of bird; This is equivalent to about one-third of that of the whole China and about 5 percents of the world’s total. At the Mai Po and Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site, about 300 species of birds are recorded and 1000s of birds use it as wintering site or stop-over place during migration. Among them, about a quarter of the entire world population of the globally endangered Black-faced Spoonbill (currently estimated at about 700 birds) winters there. Hong Kong lies within the transitional zone between two botanical and zoological regions, the tropical and temperate regions. In addition to these geographical conditions, the well-developed protected area system also helps to preserve and sustain the natural landscape. Despite being so small, Hong Kong has over 40% of the territory protected as country parks, special area, and Ramsar site; in percentage terms it is probably the highest in the world. Indeed, ecotourism will continue to intensify in HK as issues associated with increased leisure time, work-related stress and concern for the natural environment continue to develop. But there are a number of limitations to contend with!!