Ecotourism and Water Sustainability in Panama and Costa Rica: A Comparative Analysis
Open Access
- Author:
- Rugh, Ellen
- Area of Honors:
- Spanish
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Margaret M. Blue, Thesis Supervisor
John Lipski, Thesis Honors Advisor
Joseph Alan Bishop, Faculty Reader - Keywords:
- Ecotourism
Water
Sustainability
Panama
Costa Rica
Tourism
Environment - Abstract:
- The purpose of this paper is to compare ecotourism models and water sustainability within ecotourism lodges in Panama and Costa Rica. With trends showing the rising popularity of environmentally-friendly travel, ecotourism has come into the spotlight as a debated model for sending tourists into unspoiled nature. The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) defines ecotourism as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education” (“TIES” 2014). Social trends identified by the Center for Responsible Travel (CREST) show that the demand for sustainable travel will remain strong for the foreseeable future (Lück 2005). Currently, Costa Rica maintains its position as the forerunner in ecotourism travel in Central America, while Panama continues to make strides to compete in this niche sector of services. For both countries, the extreme ecological diversity that has fueled their ecotourism industry, also comes with its drawbacks. Both countries have dealt with the tumultuous effects of drought and extreme flooding, thereby increasing the importance of water sustainability in the area. Through the evaluation of certification standards and water sustainability measures for a sample of ecotourism destinations, the authenticity and prospective growth of Panamanian and Costa Rican ecotourism models were compared. Costa Rica has successfully created an ecotourism model that forms the basis of their tourism sector and provides the country with positive economic, social, and environmental returns. However, in order to maintain primacy as a worldwide leader for ecotourism, the country must be adaptable and react to not only climate changes, but to regional tourism demand changes as well. For Panama, after analyzing the country’s practices and policies, I recommend that the country invest more economically in ecotourism, am confident that with the proper practices and additional measures, emphasize tourists’ safety, encourage sustainability certifications, collaborate with other countries, and advertise their unique assets. By following these recommendations, I am confident that Panama can create an ethical ecotourism model that closely resembles that of Costa Rica and that promises similar international prestige.