Research into Resort Development from the Viewpoint of Ecotourism

摘要

This study began with two goals: firstly, to seek the ideal approach to resort development from the viewpoint of ecotourism as based on the Australian Ayers Rock Resort case study; and secondly, to clarify the conceptual framework of ecotourism through its description in documentation. We considered the following five views of ecotourism: 1) 'tourism in tune with nature' 2) 'tourism that can be continuously managed' 3) 'tourism that can vitalize local communities' 4) 'small-scale tourism' and 5) 'tourism that educates tourists about the natural environment'. As a result, two issues emerged which will affect the future development of resorts adapted to the local environment: firstly, which of the five definitions above of ecotourism to emphasize and which to downplay, and secondly, whether the merging of ecotourism with other types of tourism (such as mass tourism) is in the best interests of the local community.