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# Megadiversity The Phillipines is a hotspot with more than several hundred species of animals as well as a wide diversity of plants, 67% of which are unique to the country. ## Notable Ecotourism Sites - Cordillera Rice Terraces - Puerto Princesa Underground River - The Agusan Marsh - Mayon Volc...

# Megadiversity The Phillipines is a hotspot with more than several hundred species of animals as well as a wide diversity of plants, 67% of which are unique to the country. ## Notable Ecotourism Sites - Cordillera Rice Terraces - Puerto Princesa Underground River - The Agusan Marsh - Mayon Volcano - Bohol for the tarsiers - Donsol for the whale sharks - Olango Islands for the migratory birds ## Ecotourism Ecotourism offers many potential benefits such as: - Revenue generation - Local employment - Environmental conservation - Environmental awareness - Appreciation of local culture - Opportunities for inclusion of women ### A History of Ecotourism Ecotourism was seen as an alternative to mass tourism which was associated with negative social and environmental impacts. - Nature tourism programs, produce negative environmental and social impacts. - "Ego-tourism", instead of solving problems attendant to mass tourism, it has contributed to the tourism market. - Sustainable ecotourism, tag the concience of ecotourism stakeholders into integrating sustainable development dimensions into ecotourism activities. ### Ecotourism Definitions - Ecotourism as "destination" considered to be small-scale using local products and services and orientation to local folklore and cultural traditions. - Society's Dictionary: Ecotourism as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and sustains the well-being of local people." - Ecotourism as "environmentally responsible travel and visitation to relatively undisturbed natural areas in order to enjoy and appreciate nature (and any associated cultural features, both past and present) that promotes conservation, has low visitor impact and provides for beneficially active socioeconomic involvement of local peoples." - The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) (now defunct) - Indonesian- "responsible nature-based tourism focused on the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem and involving local communities." - Thailand: The concept of an "eco-tourism area," which aims to conserve the environment, while making a profit from tourism.