NGOs in ecotourism: patrons of sustainability or neo-colonial agents? Evidence from Africa
Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCUAbstract
NGOs have become involved in ecotourism because of its potential to balance economic development, environmental conservation, and socio-cultural revitalisation. However, some critics have associated ecotourism with neo-colonialism and with the perpetuation of economic and political hegemonies because the concept has been advanced from the West. The present study adopts a qualitative research approach to explore the merits of two opposing views – that NGOs facilitate and advance sustainable development or that they are agents of neo-colonialism. The researchers focus on a nation which was spared the experience of colonisation – Ethiopia – to explore whether ecotourism practice can be accurately characterised as ‘neo-colonial’. Through a close examination of NGO involvement in ecotourism, the authors challenge the widely held view that NGOs use sustainable development as a pretext to promote neo-colonial ideas. The paper contributes to theory and practice by explaining the relationship between neo-colonialism and ecotourism. Implications and opportunities for future research are also discussed.
Journal
Tourism Recreation Research
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Volume
45
ISBN/ISSN
2320-0308
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Issue
2
Pages Count
17
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Publisher
Taylor & Francis
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Date
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EISSN
N/A
DOI
10.1080/02508281.2019.1675269