Ecotourism Research Paper

According to Brundtland Commission, sustainable development is defined as “development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (Martens, Sustainability: science or fiction?, 2012). Many sectors participate to contribute to sustainable development, and economy is one of the factors. Sustainable economic growth relies on various sectors, corresponding to the strength of the area. As in developing countries, economy depends enormously on tourism which is mostly related to the local nature and culture. In order to sustain the contribution from tourism, nature and culture must be ensured to be long lasting. To cope with this concept, ecotourism has been raised to the public.

It was firstly implemented in Luang Namtha Province, which showed a success in poverty alleviation of the province. Now the national strategy has been applied to four provinces where the natural, cultural resources and the local people themselves have got tourists attraction nationally and internationally. This strategy intended to apply to the center-level – NTA, MAF, DoF and DFRC - and the local-level – private sectors and local communities (Khamlay, Paul, & Sounh, 2004).

The policy aimed primarily to conserve the nature and the culture of the area regarding the empowerment of local residents (Khamlay, Paul, & Sounh, 2004). Raising awareness and responsibility of the community towards the local cultural and natural resources is another purpose of the policy to help sustain the development of the community. Sustainability of the resources is the precursor of the sustainable revenue.The development of the area can be the improvement of the infrastructure or housing; however, it must be ensured not to affect the pattern of local environment and

Its crucial role to conserve, and sustain biological biodiversity, natural, and cultural resource have a great influence on UNEP interest. Countries who aim to implement environmental and social development in a sustainable way are expected to take these policies as guidelines. All levels of practitioners like business, government, non-governmental organization, and local communities are in the list to follow the policies.

UNEP policies (2002) intended to conserve natural areas, educate visitors about sustainability, and make benefits for local and indigenous inhabitants. Tourism affects people’s life and environment positively and negatively, which shows the unsustainability of development. Ecotourism provides mostly positive impacts by generating more incomes, and creating more jobs for local and indigenous people, also raising awareness of visitors on sustainability of the sites. With this contemporary tourism, community will have more capability to get rid of poverty and