Sustainable Tourism in Costa Rica: Aligning Tourists’ Interests with Local Development

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Title
Sustainable Tourism in Costa Rica: Aligning Tourists’ Interests with Local Development
Author
Jessica A Mylan
Faculty Sponsor
Isidore Lobnibe
Abstract
Sustainability in small communities preserves the natural environment while benefiting the lifestyles of community members by promoting human welfare. One quarter of Costa Rica’s export income comes from tourism, with ecotourism being the most prominent form of tourism. The field research of this study was conducted in the regions of Tárcoles, Carara National Park, and Jacó along the Pacific Coast in Costa Rica where tourists who visit other local attractions often bypass Tárcoles. It explored which services interest tourists, what activities tourists travel to Costa Rica for, and the sustainable services they are willing to pay for. Multiple surveys, semi-structured interviews, and participant observation were the methods for data collection. The analysis of the data suggests that there are opportunities in Tárcoles for the community to take advantage of the tourists visiting nearby attractions and develop sustainable services that preserve the environment and create economic benefits for locals.
Description
Acknowledgements: Isidore Lobnibe, Robin Smith, Mary Little LL. M., School for Field Studies: Center for Sustainable Development Studies, Kate Miller, Shirley Heying, Kate McCaslin
Subject
Social and Cultural Anthropology
Ecotourism
Tárcoles
Carara National Park
Community-based tourism
Ethnography
Rights
Western Oregon University Library has determined, as of 06/01/2023, this item is in copyright, which is held by the author. Users may use the item in accordance with copyright limitations and exceptions, including fair use. For other uses, please ask permission from the author.
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Type
Text
volume
7
Date Published
11/26/2018
Note
Isidore Lobnibe
Identifier
pure/vol7/iss1/8
Language
eng