Ecotourism in the third world: problems for sustainable tourism development

Abstract As the fastest-growing sector of the tourism industry ecotourism offers tourism companies and Third World destinations alike the prospect of capitalizing on the comparative advantage of these nations in terms of unspoiled natural environments. By definition, such development should benefit destinations more in terms of small-scale, local involvement with fewer adverse impacts. The opportunity for these countries to enhance their development potential by harnessing their natural resources without, at the same time, destroying them cannot be denied. What is essential, however, is the recognition that, without adequate understanding of underlying factors and careful planning and management, ecotourism may include unsustainable aspects.