Through the eyes of the locals: the role of ecotourism in the Monteverde region of Costa Rica, May 2009

Alternative Title

A través de los ojos de los lugareños: el papel del ecoturismo en la región de Monteverde de Costa Rica

Creator

Jenna Diggs

Files

Publication Date

May 2009

Abstract

Identifying economic and environmental gains and losses from the ecotourism industry in the Monteverde region of Costa Rica is easy because these factors are well studied. Recognizing the influence of ecotourism over political, social and cultural factors of the region can be more difficult. One way to study all of these aspects is to gather information from the locals themselves. The majority viewed it as the most important industry and maintained that the natural and social environment had changed significantly in their time spent living in Monteverde. Also, their jobs depended on the industry. The participants in the study generally viewed ecotourism’s impact on economic, environmental, political, social and cultural factors of the Monteverde region as positive, but that does not discount opposing views. When asked how they would improve the industry, common responses included infrastructure improvement and planning, increasing tourist numbers, price reductions and promotion of education for locals and tourists.

Resumen

Identificando los beneficios económicos y las perdidas ambientales de la industria del ecoturismo en la zona de Monteverde en Costa Rica es fácil, porque estos factores se han investigado mucho. Es más difícil de reconocer la influencia del ecoturismo sobre los aspectos políticos, sociales y culturales en la zona. Una manera de investigar estas cosas es simplemente entrevistar a los habitantes de la región.

Keywords

Ecotourism, CIEE Spring 2009

Palabras claves

Ecoturismo, CIEE Primavera 2009

Extent

12 pages

Geographic Location

Monteverde (Puntarenas, Costa Rica)

Holding Location

Monteverde Institute

Language

English; Spanish

Media Type

Articles

Format

Digital Only

Identifier

M39-00505

Type

Book

Recommended Citation

Diggs, Jenna, "Through the eyes of the locals: the role of ecotourism in the Monteverde region of Costa Rica, May 2009" (2009). Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation. 539.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/tropical_ecology/539