Article: Ecotourism and sustainable development: impacts on communities near nature reserves Journal: International Journal of Sustainable Development (IJSD) 2026 Vol.29 No.1 pp.116 - 133 Abstract: Protected areas remain our best tool in the fight against mass extinction and environmental degradation. The objective of the research is to determine the extent to which ecotourism is related to sustainable development in communities surrounding a protected natural area in the South American rainforest. The methodology presented a study with a quantitative approach, correlational scope and non-experimental design; the sample size was 180 people who completed a Likert-type survey; ecotourism emphasised economic, environmental and socio-cultural factors and sustainable development emphasised community assessment, environmental education, conservation of natural resources and political participation. As results, the inferential data presented a Spearman's rho = 0.816, affirming the correlation. It was concluded that there is a significant relationship between the two variables and that the objective of disseminating environmental knowledge and information for the practice of ecotourism should be to empower citizens and build a just society within the framework of sustainable development. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Ecotourism and sustainable development: impacts on communities near nature reserves

Authors: Fabiola Gomez-Chambi; María Jeanett Ramos-Cavero; Claudio Rojas-Flores; Franklin Cordova-Buiza

Addresses: Business Faculty, Universidad Privada del Norte, Lima, Peru ' Business Faculty, Universidad Privada del Norte, Lima, Peru ' Business Faculty, Universidad Privada del Norte, Lima, Peru ' Research, Innovation and Sustainability Department, Universidad Privada del Norte, Lima, Peru

Abstract: Protected areas remain our best tool in the fight against mass extinction and environmental degradation. The objective of the research is to determine the extent to which ecotourism is related to sustainable development in communities surrounding a protected natural area in the South American rainforest. The methodology presented a study with a quantitative approach, correlational scope and non-experimental design; the sample size was 180 people who completed a Likert-type survey; ecotourism emphasised economic, environmental and socio-cultural factors and sustainable development emphasised community assessment, environmental education, conservation of natural resources and political participation. As results, the inferential data presented a Spearman's rho = 0.816, affirming the correlation. It was concluded that there is a significant relationship between the two variables and that the objective of disseminating environmental knowledge and information for the practice of ecotourism should be to empower citizens and build a just society within the framework of sustainable development.

Keywords: sustainability; tourist attraction; tourism development; environment; community; ecology; tourism; protected natural area; Peruvian jungle; Peru.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSD.2026.150578

International Journal of Sustainable Development, 2026 Vol.29 No.1, pp.116 - 133

Received: 27 Mar 2024
Accepted: 07 Apr 2025
Published online: 17 Dec 2025 *

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Title: Ecotourism and sustainable development: impacts on communities near nature reserves

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