Multi-Criteria Analysis in Ecotourism: Using Goal Programming to Explore Sustainable Solutions

The paper examines issues pertinent to the strategic planning and management of ecotourism. The use of Multi-Criteria Analysis in ecotourism is an innovative application of an existing methodology that has been traditionally employed in environmental planning and project appraisal to address conflicting stakeholder objectives over scarce natural resources. Using data from a case study of community-managed ecotourism in Ecuador, the paper demonstrates how this methodology can be usefully applied to integrate qualitative and quantitative research, consider stakeholder preferences in the decision-making process and provide policy information helpful in conceptualising the interplay of social and environmental objectives of sustainable tourism. In this way the methodology can help improve the participatory community management and planning of ecotourism as a livelihood economic activity.

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