ABSTRACT
The fate of the world’s largest rainforest and its native inhabitants is a matter of global concern. This case study focuses on ecotourism in Ecuador’s share of the Amazon Basin, as an alternative to less sustainable forms of development. On completion of this case you will:
Appreciate the biodiversity of Ecuador’s rainforests and their potential for ecotourism.
Understand the challenges facing Indian communities in the Amazon and the role of community-based ecotourism (CBE) as an economic alternative to the petroleum and logging industries.
Recognise that community-based tourism accounts for only a small share of Ecuador’s tourism market.
Be aware of the range of ecotourism projects in the Ecuadorian Amazon and the types of accommodation and transport used by ecotourists.
