Managing Tourism in Fragile Ecosystems: A Case Study Approach
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15760989Keywords:
fragile ecosystems, sustainable tourism, destination management, biodiversity, ecotourism, environmental impact, case studyAbstract
Tourism development is placing immense pressure on vulnerable ecosystems, making it challenging to balance
economic benefits with ecological sustainability. This research compares sustainable tourism management strategies
in the Galapagos Islands and the Maldives, using qualitative methods such as secondary data and policy analysis.
The findings highlight that successful management requires integrating visitor quotas, local community engagement,
and adaptive governance. The Galapagos exemplifies science-based management, while the Maldives faces challenges
due to climate vulnerability. The study emphasizes the need for better carrying capacity assessments, stakeholder collaboration,
and climate-resilient tourism strategies, offering evidence-based recommendations for fragile ecosystems
worldwide.
References
Bramwell, B., & Lane, B. (2011). Critical research on the governance of tourism and sustainability. Journal of Sustainable
Tourism, 19(4-5), 411-421.
Buckley, R. (2012). Sustainable tourism: Research and reality. Annals of Tourism Research, 39(2), 528-546.
Butler, R. W. (1980). The concept of a tourist area cycle of evolution: Implications for management of resources. Canadian
Geographer, 24(1), 5-12.
Drumm, A., & Moore, A. (2005). Ecotourism development: A manual for conservation planners and managers. The
Nature Conservancy.
Fennell, D. A. (2014). Ecotourism (4th ed.). Routledge.
Galapagos Conservancy. (2023). Annual tourism statistics and environmental impact report. Charles Darwin Foundation.
Honey, M. (2008). Ecotourism and sustainable development: Who owns paradise? (2nd ed.). Island Press.
Lobo, H. A. S., Trajano, E., Marinho-Filho, J., Bichuette, M. E., Scaleante, J. A. B., Scaleante, O. A. F., & Rocha, B. N.
(2013). Projection of tourist scenarios onto fragility maps: Framework for determination of provisional tourist carrying
capacity in a Brazilian show cave. Tourism Management, 35, 234-243.
Maldives Association of Tourism Industry. (2023). Tourism yearbook 2023. MATI Publications.
Maldives Marine Research Institute. (2018). Coral reef status report: Climate change impacts and recovery. Ministry
of Environment.
Manning, R. E. (2007). Parks and carrying capacity: Commons without tragedy. Island Press.
McCool, S. F., & Lime, D. W. (2001). Tourism carrying capacity: Tempting fantasy or useful reality? Journal of Sustainable
Tourism, 9(5), 372-388.
Scheyvens, R., & Momsen, J. H. (2008). Tourism and poverty reduction: Issues for small island states. Tourism Geog
raphies, 10(1), 22-41.
Scott, D., Peeters, P., & Gössling, S. (2012). Can tourism deliver its “aspirational” greenhouse gas emission reduction
targets? Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 18(3), 393-408.
Shareef, R., & McAleer, M. (2005). Modelling international tourism demand and volatility in small island tourism economies.
International Journal of Tourism Research, 7(6), 313-333.
Stem, C. J., Lassoie, J. P., Lee, D. R., Deshler, D. D., & Schelhas, J. W. (2003). Community participation in ecotourism
benefits: The link to conservation practices and perspectives. Society & Natural Resources, 16(5), 387-413.
Stronza, A., & Gordillo, J. (2008). Community views of ecotourism. Annals of Tourism Research, 35(2), 448-468.
The International Ecotourism Society. (2015). TIES ecotourism definition. TIES Publications.
Weaver, D. B. (2001). Ecotourism. John Wiley & Sons.
Yin, R. K. (2018). Case study research and applications: Design and methods (6th ed.). SAGE Publications
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 MUHANDISLIK VA IQTISODIYOT
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.