Problem: A local entrepreneur, whether from the private sector, a nongovernmental organization (NGO), or even government entity, who is considering entering the ecotourism business and who wants to assess the viability of this option in order to minimize commercial risk and maximize the chances of success.

Action: This manual is divided into three sections, each representing a phase in the assessment, planning, and making operational of an ecotourism business. Section 1, Ecotourism Assessment, will help the reader to determine whether viable ecotourism opportunities exist at a site or if they can be developed either with avail...

Problem: There is a need to deepen, and awaken, the level of the nature-human relationship across the planet.

Action: To present material that demonstrates a deeper communion with nature.

Problem: La conservación es un concepto difícil de vender, especialmente en los países en desarrollo, endonde es percibida como una barrera para el progreso y el desarrollo humano. Las personastienen distintas percepciones sobre la conservación y el ambiente, lo que para una personarepresenta un espectacular paisaje forestal, para otra es simplemente tierra para limpiar y cultivar.   Este manual trata de promover la conservación en forma práctica creando empleos,generando ingresos para las áreas prote...

Action: Capítulo 1 Determinando la Percepción de los Visitantes p31Capítulo 2 Creando una Visión para el Sendero p79Capítulo 3 Ubicando y Trazando el Sendero p105Capítulo 4 Calculando Costos y Beneficios p135Capítulo 5 Preparando la Propuesta de Financiamiento p151Capítulo 6 Comenzando la Construcción p171Capítulo 7 Interpretando el Sendero p241Capítulo 8 Estableciendo y Monitoreando los Límites p317Capítulo 9 Promocionando el Sendero p347Capítulo 10 Administrando el Sendero p391   Manual Review Group: Conservation Review

Problem: Worldwide, tourism is the largest industry, with ecotourism being an important segment of the market. Every year,millions of tourists around the world visit protected areas (PAs) or travel to destinations for nature-based recreation.While PAs often supply the most important part of such recreational experiences, they typically capture very little of the total economic benefits derived from ecotourism.

Action: A number of relatively simple, market-based mechanisms – known collectively as tourism user fees (TUFs) ––cangather significant revenues from tourism-based activities (see table below), which can then be directed toward supporting PAs and other conservation efforts. The fees partially reflect the cost of supplying recreational services, the demand for natural resources, and the value that visitors place on their experience at the site. The direct link between maintaining natural areas and inc...