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 globallyEco-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 /