Promoting sustainable development: ecotourism'S multifaceted role and economic demand

• Main Author: Ahmad, Siti Yuliandi
• Format: Proceeding Paper
• Language: English
• Published: 2023
• Subjects: HB801 Consumption. Demand
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/106181/1/ICLET%202023.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/106181/
• Institution: Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia

This systematic article review summarises the role of Ecotourism in contributing to sustainable development, focusing on the concept of Ecotourism, visitor demand, and economic benefit to the destination region. Ecotourism is responsible travel to natural regions that promotes conservation, supports the well-being of local communities, and gives tourists educational and enjoyable experiences. It is a type of tourism that emphasises reducing negative environmental consequences while also helping to safeguard and preserve biodiversity, ecosystems, and cultural heritage. The methodology used in this research is based on ten articles from previous studies on the role of Ecotourism in contributing to sustainable development that were onducted between 2019 and 2023 in Malaysia, Indonesia, or elsewhere outside Asia. Secondary data from a prior study on cotourism related to sustainable development in several fields was used in this paper, although our main focus will be on the economic impact. The result shows that Ecotourism can be a tool to achieve sustainable development in a destination region. However, ecotourism development is a risky operation that might have a more significant positive impact on the region or cause much more damage. Thus, well-planned development is required to produce sustainable Ecotourism that successfully contributes economic value to the region.