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Ecotourism – conservation of the natural and cultural heritage

Author

Listed:
  • Cristina Barna

    (Pro Global Science Association)

  • Manuela Epure

    (Spiru Haret University)

  • Ruxandra Vasilescu

    (Spiru Haret University)

Abstract

Sometimes the concept of ecotourism is widely misunderstood and it is often used as a marketing instrument in order to promote tourism businesses related to nature. Ecotourism means not only nature, it also includes indigenous cultures. It is about fostering respect for nature and for cultures, too. The true ecotourism represents only “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of the local people” (TIES 1990). This paper clarifies the definition of the ecotourism concept versus related concepts as “sustainable tourism”, “responsible tourism”, “nature based travel” or “green travel”, presents the principles and benefits of ecotourism which is seen as a win-win solution and a Business Biodiversity model. We approach also the issue of commodification and ecotourism and the implications for local cultures and people. The key of a successful ecotourism which avoids the risk of corroding local cultures is the incorporation of local cultures and people into industry. Finally, the paper presents Romania case: main stakeholders and projects for Eco-Romania, which gained in 2009 two Golden Apple award for ecotourism, and a short description of two remarkable eco-destinations: Retezat National Park and Hateg Country Dinosaur Geopark, which developed the UNESCO concept of geopark and the European Geopark Network Strategy.

Suggested Citation

  • Cristina Barna & Manuela Epure & Ruxandra Vasilescu, 2011. "Ecotourism – conservation of the natural and cultural heritage," Review of Applied Socio-Economic Research, Pro Global Science Association, vol. 1(1), pages 87-96, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:rse:wpaper:v:1:y:2011:i:1:p:87-96
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Valentina VASILE & Marius-Razvan SURUGIU & Ioana-Alexandra LOGIN, 2016. "Heritage entrepreneurship and ecotourism. A new vision on ecosystem protection and in-situ specific activities for cultural heritage consumption," Romanian Journal of Economics, Institute of National Economy, vol. 42(1(51)), pages 139-154, june.
    2. Nazifa Rafa & Samiha Nuzhat & Sayed Mohammad Nazim Uddin & Mukesh Gupta & Rahul Rakshit, 2021. "Ecotourism as a Forest Conservation Tool: An NDVI Analysis of the Sitakunda Botanical Garden and Ecopark in Chattogram, Bangladesh," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-22, November.
    3. Datta Debajit & Banerji Suranjana, 2015. "Local Tourism Initiative in an Eastern Himalayan Village: Sustainable Ecotourism or Small-scale Nature Exploitation?," Bulletin of Geography. Socio-economic Series, Sciendo, vol. 27(27), pages 33-49, March.
    4. Dorin Paul Bac & Emre Ozan Aksoz, 2017. "Contemporary Challenges For Sustainable Tourism – A Regional Perspective," Oradea Journal of Business and Economics, University of Oradea, Faculty of Economics, vol. 2(2), pages 37-44, September.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ecotourism; business biodiversity; local cultures; sustainable development; geopark;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q01 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General - - - Sustainable Development
    • Q26 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - Recreational Aspects of Natural Resources
    • Q57 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Ecological Economics

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