Sustainable Tourism and Community Development

Biodiversity Conservation and Tourism Tourism Can Help Alleviate Poverty and Conserve Biodiversity Despite there being a negative outcome from current biodiversity conservation efforts, it is possible for tourism to alleviate poverty. To reduce poverty through tourism, models such transfer of tourism benefits through the donation of part income earned from tourism for development purposes (Nyaupane & Poudel, 2011). The marginalized community can be afforded meaningful and sustainable employment in the biodiversity conservations.

To support the economic way of life of the poverty stricken population, it also ideal to provide an avenue for the locals to sell some of their good and services to the tourists. Redistribution of the tax revenues from the tourism activities to development of infrastructures surrounding area of the conservation will also serve to reduce poverty Area That Exhibits the Highest Level of Linkages Community empowerment comes out as the one with the highest level of linkages comparatively.

Community empowerment does not necessarily give back to the community in term of monetary capacity, but it creates an avenue for all in the community to exploit their limited capacity to earn a sustainable way of life. The creativity that results from the empowerment goes far beyond from providing income by developing ways of generating wealth for the community without leaving out anyone (Nyaupane & Poudel, 2011). 3.

Five Themes of Linkages Explained The five linkages in the article include Community Empowerment, Economic Benefits, Capacity Building, Amenities Development and, Environmental Biodiversity Conservation Services (Nyaupane & Poudel, 2011). Community empowerment target is to afford the community an opportunity to explore their potentials and lead a sustainable way of life. The Economic benefit includes the collection of funds from tourism revenues either through donation or employment of the locals. Capacity building involves improving on the local population's ability to provide goods and services to the tourist industry.

Amenities development and biodiversity conservation incorporate construction of infrastructures -- (health centers, roads, social places, buffer zone) -- using tax revenues from the tourist industry (Nyaupane & Poudel, 2011). 4. Buffer Zone A buffer zone is an area engulfing the conversation region forming a boundary between the wildlife and human population and their activities. A buffer zone serves as the linkage between the locals and the conservation. In these zones, the local inhabitants have rights to manage and utilize the resource for their traditional and economic ways of life (Nyaupane & Poudel, 2011). 5.

Major Economic Benefits Locals Received From Tourism Higher revenues from tourist visit out of preference of the natural ambiance provided through environmentally friendly behavior and practices. Also tourism as a business venture becomes more sustainable by safeguarding the natural potent in the region (Nyaupane & Poudel, 2011). 6. Profit-Sustainability Trade-Off with Some Examples. Profit sustainability and trade off is a case of win-win where tourism earns the maximum possible revenue through sustainable environmental tourist behaviors.

In the case where tourists choose to go on nature trail walks as opposed to drives, they have cut down on their environmental degradation. Choosing to recycle or and pick up litter creates a trade-off between tourism and environmental conservation (Teresa M., Sara D., & Friedrich L., 2010). 7. The Environmentally Friendliest Tourists are Highest Spenders The environmentally friendly tourists are the highest spenders. Since their preference is to appreciate nature and relax in an environment, that conserve the very nature.

They will engage in more revenue earning nature activities for the value and prefer regions that are environmentally friendly (Teresa M. et al., 2010). 8. Tourist Segments That Perform Environmentally Friendly Behavior Nature lovers, environmental wanderers, and Outdoor seekers are the groups that perform environmentally friendly behaviors. Nature lovers and environmental wanderers are seen to explore.