Title: The importance of education in ecotourism ventures: lessons from Rara Avis ecolodge, Costa Rica

Authors: Ben Sander

Addresses: M.A. Natural Resources and Sustainable Development, American University/University for Peace, 4915 Brandywine St NW, Washington, DC 20016, USA

Abstract: Ecotourism is based on three main concepts: conservation and protection of the environment, supporting local cultures and economies and environmental education for both locals and tourists. Thus far much of the research has focused on the first two components; largely ignoring the importance that environmental education has in the future of ecotourism and the conservation movement as a whole. Therefore, this paper will focus on what research has been conducted so far on environmental education. Furthermore, it will describe a study done in the first ecolodge in Central America, Rara Avis, on the effect education can have on knowledge gained and an improved conservation ethic. As a result, this paper will show why the future of ecotourism needs to include a stronger focus on building quality environmental education to increase conservation ethic and pro-environmental attitudes.

Keywords: ecotourism; sustainable tourism; sustainable development; environmental education; conservation ethic; Costa Rica; sustainability; green tourism; ecolodges.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSSOC.2012.049408

International Journal of Sustainable Society, 2012 Vol.4 No.4, pp.389 - 404

Published online: 31 Dec 2014 *

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