Ecotourism, sustainable development, and conservation education: Development of a tour guide training program in Tortuguero, Coast Rica

Journal Article · · Environmental Management; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02645660· OSTI ID:6900861

Jacobson, S K ^[1]; Robles, R ^[2]

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1. Univ. of Florida, Gainesville (United States)
2. Caribbean Conservation Corp., San Jose (Costa Rica)

A tour guide training program was developed for rural communities near Costa Rica's Tortuguero National Park to respond to the impacts of the 24-fold increase in park visitation in the past decade, to involve local communities in resource management, and to provide regional environmental education. The development of the training course involved a survey of scientists and park managers, to determine resource management and information needs, and economic feasibility. A pilot training course and guide program involving 12 Tortuguero residents demonstrated that a tour guide program: (1) helped mitigate negative tourism impacts on Tortuguero National Park's natural resources, particularly by regulating tourists on the park's 35-km beach used for nesting by endangered sea turtles; (2) provided environmental education to an important segment of the local community not traditionally reached through school or government development projects; (3) provided environmental information to tourists, thus enhancing their visit; and (4) provided local economic benefits through lucrative part-time employment, thereby allowing local people to participate more fully in the tourism system.

• OSTI ID: 6900861
• Journal Information: Environmental Management; (United States), Journal Name: Environmental Management; (United States) Vol. 16:6; ISSN EMNGDC; ISSN 0364-152X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540250* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Site Resource & Use Studies-- (1990-)
CENTRAL AMERICA
COSTA RICA
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
EDUCATION
EMPLOYMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
LATIN AMERICA
MANAGEMENT
NATURE RESERVES
PUBLIC LANDS
PUBLIC RELATIONS
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
RESOURCES
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
TOURISM
TRAINING