The Idea of a Replacement for Tourism as Illustrated by Lisa Campbell in Her Editorial

Every developmental, sovereign, working entity has its niche. Many states or countries boast adventurous landscapes and novel festivals that show off the bright cultures that exist therein. For others, there is greater dependence on the visitation of international guests for main sources of income and economic growth. For a place like Costa Rica, there is a huge push for ecotourism, not only because it is a small country with limiting agricultural and trade impediments, but because it is rich with bio and cultural diversity. In Lisa Campbell’s article, Ecotourism in rural and developing countries, she examines the concept of Alternative Ecotourism and its benefits for places like Costa Rica; particularly the region of Ostional located on the Pacific Coast of the Nicoya Peninsula. This village is a prime mover in the collection of turtle eggs for distribution on the basis of a government approved “project”. Ostional is located in the midst of one of the most important arribada beaches in the world for Olive Ridley turtles. An arribada, meaning arrival in Spanish, depicts the nesting seasons of these turtles and occurs in only nine other places in the world (Campbell 5). Campbell focuses on the perceptions of local inhabitants as well as the views of guests at local hotels or cabinas to provide the basis of her research in Ostional.

Alternative Ecotourism, Campbell says, “relies on community participation and even control, [which] minimizes the extent to which outside planning and intervention is desirable” (3). This means that the extent to which the community must participate in ecotourism in order for it work is great and there must be a balanced push for the development to succeed. This concept brings us full circle to the Triple Bottom line because there must be a balance between economic, environmental, and social sustainability. Alternative ecotourism is a new way of idealizing the concept of novelty with actual hard work and respect for the biodiversity that exists within an area. Campbell’s research in Ostional helped deduce whether or not the region was a good prospect for alternative ecotourism. Ultimately the area would draw in tourists and those interested specifically in arribadas, but the practices that take place within the community in regards to turtle egg harvesting degrade the prospects of international visitation. Though the “project” is necessary and has been a great contribution to the local revenue that is collected throughout the year, it is damaging to the draw of ecotourism.

In order to collect this data, Campbell set out to survey most of the families that call Ostional home as well as the visitors to the region with the help of hotel owners. Her research spanned the year of 1995 and included seventy six of the total eighty four households, and a census of overnight guests that stayed at the two local cabinas, then the only overnight refuge for those staying in Ostional (Campbell 8). The interviews lasted anywhere from twenty to seventy five minutes and included in depth questions with an answer scale that ranged from “very good, good, neutral, bad, very bad, don't know, and other” (Campbell 8). All questions pertained to the furthering of tourism in Ostional and the effects that it would have on locals as well as turtle populations. Many of the pro-tourism households justified their answers with the positive impact tourism has or would have on their annual income; i.e. hotel owners and guides (Campbell 13). Others that were pro-tourism concluded that only planned and regulated tourism would benefit the system. Those that were against the increase of tourism disclosed their reluctance to hinder the “project”.

In conclusion, Campbell summarizes her research with four points;

One, government intervention in tourism is currently minimal… Two, the tourism industry is currently small, but valuable to those participating in it… Three, there is local support for an increase in tourism, although this reflects a desire for any form of development rather than convictions about its benefits. Four, there is a low level of awareness among residents regarding specific opportunities in tourism, but also a willingness to work in “anything'' (Campbell 16).

These conclusions can be very telling as to how tourism, specifically alternative ecotourism, will expand in the future. As long as there is a respect for the triple bottom line, ecotourism is a worthwhile endeavor.

Reflections and Thoughts

Having gone to Costa Rica so recently, these issues are fresh on my mind. We had the opportunity to see the controversy first hand and to develop our own perceptions as to how things might get better or change for those living in Ostional. We were also very fortunate to speak with Luis, owner of the Turtle Lodge, who explained to us in detail what the “project” was and how it affects the local inhabitants of the village. When reading Lisa Campbell’s Ecotourism in rural developing countries, I felt a strong connection to her cause and her research. Her focus on alternative ecotourism was very interesting with its emphasis on cooperation from those actually living and participating in the local system, as well as proper planning and executing of goals and initiatives with entities in government and outside regulation. I feel as though she approached her objective well and her contribution to research in the area of ecotourism is significant.

There are many issues in regard to Ostional and surrounding rural communities that I feel were not expressed in this article. For example, the factors outside of the villager’s ultimate control that affect the populations of turtles throughout the arribada and non-arribada seasons such as stray dogs, scavengers, predators, and changing weather patterns. While the article was specifically focused on the effects and prospects of tourism in rural and developing areas, I feel that it is necessary to discuss other aspects of the area that may affect tourism other than the willingness of the community to bring in visitors from other places. Though many of us love dogs, the strays that wander the beaches and streets of Ostional encroach on the natural systems that are in constant danger of being disrupted. The dogs, as we saw on our early morning escapade to the beach, dig up crabs as well as nests which are then vulnerable to scavengers like vultures and other birds. The beaches are littered with egg debris and the overall aesthetic reveals carnage as the most prominent force (Campbell 6). The weather patterns also affect the prospect of tourism, particularly when the arribada is taking place, because the heavy rains make the already treacherous roads almost un-maneuverable. These issues hardly seemed touched upon in Campbell’s article which tells me that she wasn’t completely respective of the triple bottom line. Alternative ecotourism, as promising as that sounds, cannot be sustainable if all aspects of nature, economics, and social structures are not satisfied.

Problems that Campbell focused on, such as the effects of government in Ostional politics, education, and awareness of issues within the area, seem to be very accurate given our stay and experience in Ostional. Luis talked about how untrustworthy the government was, given it was about twenty years after the research in the article was collected, but that just shows how time cannot heal all wounds. Especially when it comes to the unequal distribution of power and money. Education plays a huge role in the management and coevolution of people and animals in the rural areas of developing countries. Campbell stated that the average education level of respondents to her questionnaire was about 5 years (8). This is very important because just as it may be difficult for an uneducated person to make fully informed decisions about what happens to the land they occupy and the life they lead, it is equally difficult for a very well-educated person to make a substantial impact on someone who cannot relate to their level of knowledge. It is incredibly important for individuals that believe they have solutions to problems to work out the best way to interact, connect with, and convince people that know the land but may not know what is best for a system as a whole. In other words, every aspect of human interaction should be viewed as holistic in order to keep everyone in the loop and to avoid impressing foreign views on a local system. We saw this everywhere we went in Costa Rica. Ads on billboards advertising white “Americans” enjoying romantic ice skating adventures in pricey winter clothing. How that appeals to 75º weather loving Costa Ricans evades me. Furthermore, awareness is equally as important as education because it places emphasis on a community’s willingness to change a system to benefit the whole. Basically to alter a system for any cause, in this case alternative ecotourism, it is necessary to plan, create substantial communication between locals and outside regulators, inform everyone up to the same level of education to a certain degree, and avoid impressing outside views and biases on those of a different culture.

Some solutions that I have been contemplating since we left Ostional are as follows: An increase in education for all those currently occupying and benefiting from the land and the beaches of Ostional, more concentrated efforts on the part of environmental scientists and conservationists that wish to preserve the natural system and working order of things, and increased efforts in areas that are applicable yet not central to the preservation of sea turtles; i.e. stray dog sanctuaries. I feel that there are many other ways the villagers of Ostional could benefit from the turtles other than harvesting eggs. However, I respect their right to do so and the position they are in as people who have grown into this tradition. I feel that if ecotourism does take hold in Ostional, it would have to do so from a perspective of sustainability and respect for the environment. I understand the reservations the locals have for increased development, especially from foreign and outside influences because much of Costa Rica is already a “Coca Cola Nation”. If there was a way to combine conservation and tourism by increasing guided tours which are already in effect, and centers for study and revelry, I believe that the locals would not only be able to dedicate themselves to a worthier cause, but even better traditions in the preservation of natural resources could be learned and developed. I do not believe it’s all or nothing for these people and I also do not think that it is appropriate to turn a blind eye to their livelihood and call it relativism. Sustainability is a global concept and no one should be exempt from making the world a better place.