Ecotourism

Costa Rica

The Situation

• The idea behind ecotourism in Costa Rica is to preserve natural resources while profiting from them. However, Costa Rica, have allowed their ecotourism industry to become ecologically damaging.

• It has been poorly managed, unlimited numbers of tourists have been allowed into protected areas and this has encouraged rapid.

• Ecotourism can be Self destructive!

The trend of ecotourism has caused a boom in visitor numbers to Costa Rica

The Industry

• It is the fastest growing sector of tourism

• More profitable than clearing and farming the land

• A very lucrative industry, it is the second largest industry, generating 1 billion dollars a year

• An example of eco-tourism in Costa Rica is eco safari adventures

Eco Safari Adventures

For anyone to really understand Costa Rica you must be taken to it's heart, to feel the very pulse of the land, its wildlife, its nature, it's people and culture.

What they do

• There are 4 types of tours the company, take they all operate in small groups lead by people who have an immense knowledge of the country and its nature

• The emphasis is on educating people about the ecosystem and how it works

• 210 Species of bromeilias, 1 000 fern species182 Amphibian species1 400 Orchid species111 Palm species42 Cacti species243 Mammals857 Bird species

• There is an amazing array of diversity

The tours

• They take multi sports tours through the jungle. Which includes Ocean Kayaking, Rain Forest Lagoon Canoeing, Mountain Biking, Canopy Explorations, Horseback Riding and White Water Rafting

• The company make it eco tourism by educating people while they are travelling through the rainforest

Programs

• Equestrian tours are lead by the locals who gave been brought up in the country. This creates employment not just for the guides but for people who look after the horses etc.

• Customers can hike through the jungle being educated about the 850 bird species

• The most popular tour educates tourists about the evolution of the jungle, its history, the problems it faces, solutions and the future