Perceived Economic Impacts of Research Ecotourism
Interviews with local residents indicated that the economic benefits associated
with research ecotourism, whilst limited in extent, provided grounds for optimism
with regards to income-generating opportunities. These were realised
through direct employment, rental of accommodation for visitors or the sale of
handicrafts and food. However, interviews and personal observations indicated
that the extent to which individuals can appropriate these benefits is largely
dependent upon the possession of capital or personal attributes. Direct employment
required particular skills such as English language or boat handling ability,
whilst the numbers employed were noted to remain constant from year to year,
reflecting the availability of qualified individuals within the local community as
well as the similar number of visitors. The rental of accommodation to the
research ecotourism operator was seen to generate economic benefits for a wider
section of the local community, as houses were all owned by local residents and,
in most cases, built specifically for that purpose. However, it is evident that
participation in this activity is restricted to those with land ownership rights on
the island of Hoga and the ability to invest in new construction. On the other
hand, the sale of handicrafts and food is open to a greater variety of individuals
and affords groups such as women, the young and older members of the local
community the opportunity to participate.
Individual perceptions of the opportunities to generate income from ecotourism
are illustrated in Tables 1 and 2, which demonstrate the differing
capacity of communities to participate in economic benefits. Most landowners
on the island of Hoga where the majority of research ecotourists stay are resident
in village A, giving rise to the significance accorded to renting out accommodation
and the greater recognition of economic benefits to residents of this village.
In contrast, residents of the more remote village B see the sale of handicrafts as
presenting most potential. It is evident that the quantity and regularity of income
generated from these activities will differ to the detriment of individuals in
village B, which could generate resentment between communities. However, it is
important to bear in mind that the seasonality of the research ecotourism activity
is such that employment or accommodation rental is restricted to a maximum of