Preserving Nature Through Profit: Rethinking Adventure Tourism & Conservation
How tourism impacts conservation, why indigenous communities matter, and what needs to change.
Abstract
Tourism and conservation share a complex relationship in sustainable development. This review investigates five studies (1991–2017) that explore tourism’s impact on conservation across indigenous territories and emerging global hotspots. Through ethnographic research, quantitative analysis, and critical review, three key findings emerge:
- Conservation success depends on governance structures and local involvement.
- Indigenous and local communities are critical to effective tourism-conservation integration.
- Sustainable outcomes require balancing economic incentives with cultural preservation.
These findings indicate that policies should prioritize inclusive decision-making, equitable benefit distribution, and the protection of cultural and environmental resources.
Source Review
Overview
This review analyzes five key studies that examine tourism-conservation relationships through different methods and regions. Butler (1991) and Uddhammar (2006) establish the theoretical foundation of this field. Gottesfeld (1994) contributes ethnographic research on indigenous conservation practices as alternative models. West (2008) critically examines scientific tourism, while Yun and Zhang (2017) provide quantitative data on ethnic minority tourism. These studies, spanning three decades and multiple continents, show how tourism-conservation relationships have evolved.
Dual Nature of Tourism as a Threat and Opportunity
Tourism’s ability to both promote and undermine conservation is a recurring theme across the sources. Butler (1991) shows how uncontrolled tourism strains environmental resources beyond their carrying capacity. Uddhammar (2006) finds that eco-tourism often serves global interests while neglecting local communities. Both studies point to a core problem: tourism can destroy the resources it needs to survive.
Yet tourism can also support conservation when managed well. Yun and Zhang’s (2017) survey of Chinese ethnic minority regions show how tourism builds local support for preservation efforts. Gottesfeld (1994) demonstrates how traditional practices offer sustainable models for modern tourism development.
West (2008) reinforces this complexity, noting how scientific tourism turns nature and culture into commodities while giving little back to local communities. Butler (1991) captures this tension well: “The environment is tourism’s resource,” but without proper controls, tourism can cause lasting damage.
The Role of Indigenous and Local Communities
Local communities shape tourism’s impact on conservation. Gottesfeld (1994) shows how British Columbia’s Gitksan and Wet’suwet’en peoples use traditional practices like territoriality and resource management to sustain their environments. Their practices blend cultural values with conservation, offering a potential framework for sustainable tourism.
However, power imbalances often threaten local control. West (2008) reveals how scientific tourism can undermine indigenous autonomy. The study shows how outsiders, including researchers and tourists, exploit local cultures for their benefit. Similarly, Uddhammar (2006) highlights how conservation policies frequently displace local populations, turning them into “invisible refugees” within their own lands.
Yet Yun and Zhang (2017) show a better way forward. When residents help plan tourism projects, both cultural pride and conservation efforts grow stronger. They found that “Residents’ attitudes toward tourism are deeply influenced by their perceptions of cultural preservation,” highlighting how inclusive policies lead to better outcomes.
Economic Gains vs. Cultural Preservation
Tourism development often clashes with cultural preservation. Uddhammar (2006) critiques eco-tourism’s commodification of protected areas, arguing that global conservation priorities often override local needs. For example, tourism revenues generated by iconic species like mountain gorillas in Uganda rarely benefit nearby communities.
Other studies suggest a more positive outlook. Yun and Zhang (2017) discovered that tourism can support both economic growth and cultural preservation in China’s ethnic regions. Butler (1991) agrees that tourism money can fund preservation but cautions that profit-seeking often threatens sustainability.
West (2008) and Gottesfeld (1994) point to deeper problems. West critiques how scientific tourism reduces local identities to marketable stereotypes. Gottesfeld warns that market forces may overwhelm traditional practices. Both studies reveal how tourism can worsen existing inequalities when economic gains take priority over cultural values.
Conclusion
Key Findings
Research on tourism and conservation has evolved significantly. From Butler’s (1991) focus on environmental risks to Yun and Zhang’s (2017) holistic analysis, three success factors stand out:
- Communities must actively participate in decisions.
- Economic benefits need fair distribution.
- Traditional knowledge should guide modern conservation.
These success factors suggest specific steps for each stakeholder group to strengthen tourism-conservation partnerships.
Action Steps
These findings point to clear actions for each group involved:
1. Tourism Operators
- Share revenue with local communities.
- Let communities lead cultural experiences.
- Monitor environmental impacts.
2. Conservation Agencies
- Include indigenous knowledge through advisory boards.
- Protect cultural heritage.
- Connect conservation with tourism planning.
3. Local Communities
- Create tourism cooperatives.
- Set up certifications for sustainable practices.
- Monitor tourism’s local impact.
4. Policymakers
- Require benefit-sharing.
- Assess cultural impacts.
- Reward sustainable practices.
Moving forward means turning these ideas into action. Success requires measuring results and adapting strategies to fit local needs while meeting global standards.
References
Butler RW. 1991. Tourism, environment, and sustainable development. Environ Conserv. 18(3):201–209. Available from: https://www.jstor.org/stable/44521393
Gottesfeld LMJ. 1994. Conservation, territory, and traditional beliefs: An analysis of Gitksan and Wet’suwet’en subsistence, Northwest British Columbia, Canada. Hum Ecol. 22(4):443–465. Available from: https://www.jstor.org/stable/4603144
Uddhammar E. 2006. Development, conservation, and tourism: Conflict or symbiosis? Rev Int Polit Econ. 13(4):656–678. Available from: https://www.jstor.org/stable/25124093
West P. 2008. Tourism as science and science as tourism: Environment, society, self, and other in Papua New Guinea. Curr Anthropol. 49(4):597–626. Available from: https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/586737
Yun HJ, Zhang X. 2017. Cultural conservation and residents’ attitudes about ethnic minority tourism. Tour Hosp Res. 17(2):165–175. Available from: https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/26366520
