Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships among biodiversity conservation, livelihood improvements, and tourism development using the appreciative inquiry approach as a research tool. The research was conducted in three different buffer-zone communities representing different levels of tourism development around Chitwan National Park, Nepal. The results indicate that tourism helps change local people's attitudes toward the conservation of biodiversity and reduce people's dependence on natural resources. Tourism, particularly small-scale and locally owned ecotourism ventures, is also identified as a tool to enhance the livelihoods of people around protected areas. The linkages, however, vary with the level of tourism development. This study also developed a framework to help understand these linkages.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1344-1366 |
Number of pages | 23 |
Journal | Annals of Tourism Research |
Volume | 38 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 2011 |
Keywords
- Appreciative inquiry
- Chitwan National Park
- Conservation
- Nature-based
- Pro-poor
- Protected areas
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Development
- Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality Management