Skip to main content
Kent Academic Repository

Ecotourism's dirty laundry? Exploring the relationship between participation, equity and conservation around protected areas in Madagascar.

Cameron, Samantha E. (2017) Ecotourism's dirty laundry? Exploring the relationship between participation, equity and conservation around protected areas in Madagascar. Master of Science by Research (MScRes) thesis, University of Kent,. (KAR id:62511)

PDF
Language: English


Download this file
(PDF/23MB)
[thumbnail of 219S.Cameron Ecotourisms dirty laundry.pdf]
Preview

Abstract

This research project set about to explore different stakeholder perceptions on the subject of local participation in, and benefits from, tourism around the Ranomafana and Andringitra National Parks in Madagascar, and regarding conservation outcomes.

Findings from n=47 semi-structured interviews, supplemented by information collected using other qualitative research techniques, point to low levels of local participation - whether in the tourism development process or in the benefits of tourism. Reasons for this include historical socio-economic factors and the perpetuation of unequal power dynamics. Although non-financial benefits of tourism are recognised, barriers to local contact with tourists were found to limit these.

Expressions of discontent triggered by national park entrance fee rises revealed entrenched feelings of local resentment and anger concerning the suspension of ecotourism revenue-sharing. This policy had previously partially compensated for a dearth of direct benefits from tourism. Local residents' sentiments were of deceit and alienation from 'The Park'. Dissatisfaction was also linked to the national park organisation's management style, particularly concerning guide and porter treatment.

A situation of increasing inequality and insecurity around these protected areas was indicated, combined with uncontrolled environmental degradation - particularly in Ranomafana National Park. Findings infer a causal link between equity in policies and conservation outcomes; highlighting the importance of perceptions of fairness in meeting forest protection goals. They also question the effectiveness of promoting ecotourism as an 'alternative livelihood' to compensate for the interdiction of local forest use after protected area creation.

Item Type: Thesis (Master of Science by Research (MScRes))
Thesis advisor: Fish, R
Thesis advisor: Hampton, Mark
Uncontrolled keywords: Participation Tourism Equity Conservation Madagascar Protected area Community National Park
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Anthropology and Conservation
SWORD Depositor: System Moodle
Depositing User: System Moodle
Date Deposited: 01 Aug 2017 11:14 UTC
Last Modified: 08 Dec 2022 11:30 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/62511 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Cameron, Samantha E..

Creator's ORCID:
CReDIT Contributor Roles:
  • Depositors only (login required):

Total unique views for this document in KAR since July 2020. For more details click on the image.