Environmental Inputs and Outputs in Ecotourism: Geotourism with a Positive Triple Bottom Line?

Abstract

The main defining characteristics of ecotourism fall into two categories, namely environmental inputs and environmental outputs. The inputs are the natural and associated cultural features in a particular geographic place which serve as attractions for tourists. The outputs are the net costs or benefits for the natural and social environment. Ecotourism can hence be viewed as geotourism with a positive triple bottom line. There are several advantages to this approach. (1) It clarifies the meaning of ecotourism without redefining it. (2) It bypasses the service components which are common to tourism in general, not distinctive to ecotourism. (3) It treats environmental management and interpretation as means, not ends. (4) It requires an accurate accounting of environmental and social, as well as financial, costs as well as benefits. (5) It differentiates ecotourism from tourism products with a mere veneer of green. (6) The tourism products and organisations which are generally viewed as the world's best practice in ecotourism do comply with this definition.