Thesis (MA (Heritage and Museum Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (DTech (Tourism and Hospitality Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available online.

Thesis (M. Marine Sci.)--Murdoch University, 2004. / Thesis submitted to the Division of Science and Engineering. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 99-112).

Thesis (M.A. (Heritage and Museum studies))--University of Pretoria, 2002. / Summary in English. Includes bibliographical references.

A vast majority of tourism development in Guanacaste has occurred in the northern coastal region along the Pacific coast (Honey, Vargas and Durham 2010). However, recent development is beginning to move south as developers visualize big returns on early investments. As new tourism development continues to expand in the southern region of the Nicoya Peninsula, small communities are being transformed from small fishing and farming communities to communities heavily reliant on tourism. Playa Azul, a small beach town in the southern region of the Nicoya Peninsula, is one such community. This dissertation utilizes ethnographic fieldwork to examine the impacts of tourism on the daily lives of residents of Playa Azul, particularly looking at how local residents cope with perceived changes to the norms and values of the community as tourism development continues to expand in the area. The penetration of foreign capital into the community is having a transformative effect on community relations, particularly challenging community norms and values. It is my contention that as Playa Azul continues to develop as a primary tourist destination and development continues to expand, the rifts within the community between existing community members (Azuleños, foreign Ticos and lifestyle migrants) and newly arriving “business-oriented” members will continue to grow with it. I argue this has led to subtle forms of resistance among community members as they work to maintain the pura vida “vibe” of the town and the values that support a multicultural community based on humility, acceptance and mutual respect. / 2021-01-11

Integrated conservation and development projects have been widely promoted across Africa. These often involve public-private partnerships targeting tourism. Despite this encouragement, there are conflicting views regarding their impact. Conservancies have emerged bordering the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. These conservancies are the latest in a series of attempts by residents to capture benefits and developmental assistance from the safari industry. Drawing upon 19-months of fieldwork, the thesis examines the contentious relationship between conservancies and development through a case study of Olare Motorogi and Naboisho Conservancies. The thesis analyses diverging interpretations of development between and within stakeholder groups active in the study site. Three key development indicators are identified: basic needs, economic implications and livelihood security. These indicators are used to assess how the conservancies are perceived to be impacting upon development, what motivating factors for involvement are, and whether this affects society evenly. Findings suggest that conservancies and their affiliated organisations are now widely seen as the main development actors within the study site. This is largely through the creation of community projects, income-earning opportunities and grazing schemes. The involvement of conservancy-based tourism businesses in these development initiatives suggests that inclusive business models are being adopted. There is still a degree of discontent regarding conservancies, especially within neighbouring communities. Successful project outputs do not always result in successful outcomes. Without steps to ensure that these outcomes are realised, community projects may be more beneficial for tourism marketing than they are for neighbouring residents. Significant disparities also remain in income distribution, although economic benefits accruing from the conservancies are now distributed more evenly than they were in previous community-based tourism attempts in the Mara. The most emotive issue amongst local residents is access to essential resources for the dominant livelihood, pastoralism. During the research period, more comprehensive grazing schemes were introduced which simulate communal grazing systems. These practices would otherwise have been lost following land subdivision. Some pastoralists maintain that fines for grazing illegally continue to outweigh other benefits, although others assess that they are beginning to see that conservancies can have a positive impact on their livelihood. Conservancy businesses adopting more inclusive strategies constitute a more conscious form of capitalism. Motivations for this centre around the importance of place, and incorporate an Africonsciousness. As such, the conservancies exemplify Africapitalism, a new concept within the broader inclusive business arena. To date, the effectiveness of inclusive capitalism as a development agent has been inconclusive due to insufficient data. This thesis begins to address this broad literature gap, and also expands research on Africapitalism to a new industry. Although a positive relationship with development is widely perceived within the study site, the sustainability of the conservancies is questioned in the face of multiple prevailing threats. These challenges can be recognised and mitigated against, but the future of the Maasai Mara Conservancies – and their ability to continue being development actors – remains uncertain.

Since the turnover of the Panama Canal from the U.S. to Panama, the Panamanian government has made increasing tourism to the country a high priority in order to increase foreign monetary revenue and the socio-economic status of the country's constituents. In 2008, the implementation of the Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism 2007-2020 was instated. The Master Plan was designed to increase sustainable tourism to the country by international and national promotion and supplying tax incentives for tourism development investors. Panama has also taken strides to declare nine different parts of the country as Special Tourism Zones, that are recipients of multiple tax exemptions and tax holidays, according to Law No. 8, the tourism incentive law. Included in the nine zones is Bocas del Toro. This study examines the perceived effects of macro-scale national and international laws and programs on micro-scale ecotourism operations in Bocas del Toro. Research includes interviews with managers, owners and affiliates of seven micro-scale ecotourism operations in Bocas del Toro. The research methods provide insight into how the macro-scale laws and programs have effected, if at all, the micro-scale ecotourism operations in Bocas del Toro. The research reveals that there is a need for more cohesion among the governmental programs that are designed to aid in the promotion and support of micro-scale ecotourism operations along with the need for enforcement of environmental sustainability at the local level (Bocas del Toro). Although the implementation of the Master Plan is still in the early stage, progress can still be made in Panama in order to increase tourism and environmental sustainability in the country.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:33:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-08-20Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:08:26Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 rizzo_mr_dr_prud.pdf: 14404940 bytes, checksum: 0b1dfe76cb4115b8224fd68c4ed51d4a (MD5) / PROPG / Esta investigação foi desenvolvida com a finalidade de entender os principais pontos de encontro e de desencontro do turismo com a sustentabilidade em Bonito, um município de pequeno porte que compõe o Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, estando situado no sudoeste do estado, na microrregião geográfica denominada Bodoquena (M. R. G. 09). Possui uma área territorial de 4.934 km2, o que corresponde a 1,40% da área total do Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul. O município é hoje um forte polo de turismo, em especial de turismo desenvolvido em espaço rural, vindo a atrair um grande número de turistas e admiradores da exuberante natureza que o município possui. É conhecido mundialmente pelas grutas, cachoeiras, trilhas e suas águas límpidas, “recheadas” de muitos peixes e vida aquática. Em razão da expressividade do fenômeno turístico no município, justifica-se a escolha do lugar de pesquisa e do tema. A partir da implementação e expansão do turismo, que ocorreu no início da década de 1990, houve a necessidade de se respeitar o frágil ambiente natural, por meio de ações, práticas, leis, programas e instrumentos que visavam à recuperação e conservação ambiental da região para que o município pudesse manter-se como polo turístico. Por meio de pesquisa bibliográfica/webbliográfica acerca da temática, de entrevistas com os principais autores envolvidos com o turismo local e pesquisa de campo junto à comunidade local, buscou-se trazer à tona os principais pontos de encontro e de desencontro do turismo com a sustentabilidade (impactos positivos e negativos), conforme as dimensões ambiental/ecológica, social, econômica, espacial/geográfica e cultural. Essa preocupação na busca da sustentabilidade atende às novas demandas da sociedade atual, que se resume na conversão do planeta Terra em um espaço apto para a vida das próximas gerações / This investigation was developed aiming to understand the main positive and negative aspects of turism to sustainability in Bonito, one of the small municipalities of Mato Grosso do Sul State, which is situated in the southwest region of this state, in a micro-geographic region called Bodoquena (M.R.G. 09). Its territorial area, 4,934 km2, corresponds to 1,40% of the total area of Mato Grosso do Sul State. Nowadays, this municipality is an important tourism pole specially the one developed in rural areas, attracting a great number of tourists and people who admire its marvelous nature. It is worldwide famous for its grottos, falls, tracks and crystal clear waters, rich in fish and aquattic life. The importance of this touristic phenomenon justifies the chorse of the research locus and of the theme. From the implementation and expansion of tourism which started in Bonito in the 1990´s, it has been necessary to respect the fragile environment by means of actions, laws and programs devoted to the recovery and environmental conservation of the region in order to keep it as a tourism pole. A bibliographical/webbliographical research on this theme along with interviews with the main authors of local tourism actions was developed to bring about the main negative and positive impacts of tourism to sustainability, in terms of environmental, ecological, social, economic, spatial, geographical, and cultural dimensions. This concern towards sustainability searches for answers to the new demands of the present society which is devoted to transform the Earth in a proper space for the life of future generations

La conservation environnementale et la réduction de la pauvreté dans les pays en développement sont deux objectifs prioritaires. Cependant, la nature de la relation entre ces enjeux demeure l'objet de débats. En effet, alors que certains considèrent ces objectifs comme étant conflictuels, d'autres soutiennent qu'ils ne seront atteints que simultanément. Cette thèse vise à améliorer la compréhension de la relation entre conservation environnementale et bien-être ainsi que des mécanismes qui modèrent cette relation. Plus précisément, les analyses réalisées se concentrent sur l'étude des relations entre la mise en place de zones protégées, le développement de l'écotourisme et le bien-être des ménages au Népal. Dans le premier chapitre, nous explorons les liens existant entre les variables qui seront d'intérêt tout au long de la thèse. Ainsi, nous mesurons la nature et la force de la relation entre (1) zones protégées et bien-être, (2) écotourisme et bien-être et (3) l'interaction entre les zones protégées et l'écotourisme, et le bien-être. Nous utilisons la méthode de la régression PLS, qui est appropriée considérant la connaissance théorique limitée sur la relation entre les variables, ainsi que la corrélation forte entre certaines variables explicatives. Les résultats indiquent que les zones protégées, le développement de l'écotourisme et le bien-être sont positivement liés. Ces résultats justifient la pertinence de préciser davantage la structure des relations entre les variables, ce que nous effectuons dans les chapitres suivants. Dans le deuxième chapitre, nous développons un modèle théorique sur la relation entre conservation environnementale et bien-être. Dans la littérature, les résultats théoriques et empiriques sur cette relation divergent. La plupart des modèles théoriques s'appuient sur l'hypothèse que la terre protégée demeure inutilisée, ce qui ne semble pas être vérifié empiriquement. Ainsi, nous intégrons dans notre modèle théorique un secteur productif qui se développe avec les efforts de conservation. Les résultats indiquent que, lorsque la conservation est combinée au développement d'un secteur alternatif, elle peut générer une hausse du bien-être. Nous validons cette conclusion théorique à l'aide de méthodes économétriques. Les données utilisées dans les chapitres 1 et 2 ne permettent toutefois pas de distinguer les ménages résidant à l'intérieur d'une zone protégée, ainsi que ceux impliqués dans le secteur de l'écotourisme. Des variables mesurées au niveau du district doivent donc être utilisées pour capter l'effet de l'écotourisme et de la conservation. Ainsi, dans le troisième chapitre, nous présentons un rapport méthodologique et statistique de l'enquête sur les ménages, que nous avons réalisée au Népal en 2013. L'objectif de l'enquête est de collecter l'information nécessaire pour mesurer l'impact du développement de l'écotourisme et de la conservation environnementale sur le bien-être à partir de données représentatives et désagrégées au niveau du ménage. Nous détaillons dans ce chapitre la méthodologie d'enquête et présentons les résultats descriptifs obtenus. Enfin, dans le quatrième chapitre, nous utilisons les données collectées pour mesurer l'impact de l'écotourisme et des restrictions environnementales sur le bien-être des ménages. Nous développons un modèle hiérarchique linéaire à deux niveaux, afin de tenir compte de la structure hiérarchique et clustérisée de la base de données. Nous montrons que de s'impliquer dans une occupation liée à l'écotourisme, en tant que travailleur autonome, augmente les dépenses de consommation du ménage. De plus, cette implication produit une externalité positive sur le bien-être des ménages situés à proximité. Ce chapitre est complémentaire aux précédents puisque les résultats obtenus permettent de conclure sur les liens de causalité entre les variables, et ainsi de formuler des recommandations de politiques environnementales et de développement. / Environmental conservation and poverty reduction are two priorities in developing countries. However, there is still no agreement in the literature on the nature of the relationship between these two major issues. While some consider that these objectives are conflicting, others believe they can only be achieved simultaneously. This thesis aims at improving the understanding of the relationship between environmental conservation and welfare, as well as of mechanisms that moderate this relationship. More precisely, our analysis concentrate on the study of the relationships between the establishment of protected areas, ecotourism development and local welfare in Nepal.In the first chapter, we explore the links between the variables that will be of interest throughout the thesis. Therefore, we measure the nature and the strength of the relationship between (1) protected areas and welfare, (2) ecotourism and welfare and (3) the interaction between protected areas and ecotourism, and welfare. We use the PLS regression method, which is appropriate considering the limited theoretical knowledge on the relationship between the variables, as well as the strong correlation between certain variables. Results show that protected areas, ecotourism development and welfare are positively linked. This justify the relevance of elaborating more on the structure of the relationships between the variables, which is achieved in the next chapters. In the second chapter, we develop a theoretical model on the relationship between environmental conservation and welfare. In the literature, theoretical and empirical results on this relationship diverge. Most of theoretical models assume that protected land remain unused, which does not appear to be empirically verified. Therefore, we include in our theoretical model a productive sector that develops with conservation efforts. Results indicate that, when conservation is combined with an alternative sector development, it can generate a welfare increase. We validate this theoretical conclusion using econometric methods. Data used in the first and second chapters do not allow to distinguish household living inside a protected area, and those involved in the ecotourism sector. Variables measured at the district level must thus be used to capture the effect of ecotourism and conservation. In the third chapter, we present a methodological and statistical report of the household survey that we conducted is 2013, in Nepal. The objective of the survey is to collect the information required to measure the effect of ecotourism development and environmental conservation on welfare, using representative and household-level data. In this chapter, we detail the survey methodology and present the descriptive results obtained.Finally, in chapter 4, we use the data collected to measure the effect of ecotourism and environmental restrictions on household welfare. We develop a two-level hierarchical linear model, that is appropriate considering the database hierarchical and clustered structure. We show that getting involved in an occupation directly linked to ecotourism, as a self-employed, increases household consumption expenses. Besides, this implication in the sector generates positive externalities on the welfare of households located nearby. This chapter is complementary to the others since results allow to conclude on causality links between the variables, and therefore to formulate environmental and development policy recommendations.

Orientador: Gilberto José Garcia / Banca: Sergio dos Anjos Ferreira Pinto / Banca: Mariselma Ferreira Zaine / Resumo: A área escolhida para o desenvolvimento deste trabalho, a Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Passa Cinco, apresenta um conjunto de condições ambientais que ainda preservam elementos significativos da flora e da fauna e recursos paisagísticos de grande valor cênico. A bacia abriga também um precioso remanescente do ambiente natural regional, sendo um dos mais importantes mananciais de água potável inserido na Bacia do Rio Corumbataí, região altamente desenvolvida, industrializada e degradada do ponto de vista ambiental, razões pelas quais ela é alvo de muitos estudos sobre vários aspectos. Dessa forma, este trabalho pretende contribuir para políticas de planejamento turístico levando-se em conta a realidade local, através da realização de um inventário dos recursos naturais focados ao uso sustentável por meio do ecoturismo. Também, objetiva-se a conscientização da comunidade no sentido de valorizar o meio ambiente, através do conhecimento das belezas naturais: patrimônios, cuestas, cavernas, cachoeiras, matas naturais remanescentes, entre outros, tal que seja percebida a necessidade da preservação da paisagem como dever de todos. Para a realização do inventário de recursos naturais, foram visitados os pontos de interesse que apresentassem maior valor cênico, então descritos, fotografados e onde foram colhidas informações locais. Por tratar-se de um estudo de diagnóstico ambiental das potencialidades e limitações da região que envolve um número considerável de dados e informações, foi utilizado geoprocessamento associado a um GIS, cujo produto poderá ajudar no desenvolvimento e exploração do ecoturismo. Em seguida, foram caracterizados os pontos de interesse através de fotos, textos explicativos, tabelas, confecção de imagens... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The Passa Cinco watershed presents a set of environmetal conditions which still preserves meanningful elements of the fauna and flora and landscape resources of great scenic value. The Basin also has very important remainder of the regional natural environment which is one of the most important sources of drinking water in the Corumbatí River Basin. The Corumbatí River Basin is a really envolved, industrialized and degraded region in environmental aspects. Thatþs why it is target of many studies on several subjects. Therefore, this paper is supposed to contribute to policies of touristic planning taking in account the local reality through the making of a data basis focused on the sustainable use of natural resources through the ecotourism. This paper also aims to draw attention of the community to valorate the environment, through the knowledge of its own natural beauties, such as legal patrimonies, "cuestas", caves, waterfalls, remaining natural forests and many others so the need for preservation of environment shall be noticed by everybody as a duty. In order to make the data basis the focused places have been visited mainly those with greater scenic values. These places have been described, phothographed and the local information were obtained from the local people. As it deals with a study about environmental diagnostic of the region limitations and potentials use for tourism, which involves a considerable amount of data and information, it has been used a geoprocessing method, associated with a GIS, whose product will be available for the development and exploration of "Ecotourism". Therefore, the sites of interest were characterized through photographs, explanatory texts, charts and the making of tridimensional topographic images. The integration of all this information forms a data storing, wich was created in the ArcGIS program... (Complete abstract, click electronic access below) / Mestre