Unravelling the Conditions and Limitations Impacting the Prospect of Developing Rural Eco-Tourism in Oyo State, Nigeria

Many eco-tourism sites in Oyo State continue to lay in waste. Two are the focus of this chapter: Ikere Gorge Dam and the Ado-Awaye Hanging Lake in Iseyin LGA. Authors examine the condition and prospect of eco-tourism in the rural Iseyin local government area. Data was captured from a structured questionnaire administered to tourists and rural residents. A laboratory test was further carried out on the Iyake water of the hanging lake, indicating that the water is not safe for human consumption because of the lead chemical content. Findings based on inferential statistics established that the host communities perceive no remarkable dividends of tourism in the area and that people have a good impression about the prospect and development of eco-tourism. The study concluded with the need for a tourism masterplan and involvement of the private sector in tourism development in the state. The need for an improvement in complimentary infrastructures such as access roads and electricity was identified to be imperative for improved tourism sites.

Protection and Usage Balance From the Perspectives of Visitors in National Parks

This study finds out how the balance of use and protection of Kackar Mountains National Park is from the perspective of visitors. In the study, a method based on tourist perception was used by using the website reviews of the tourists. The data was obtained using Trip Advisor, which is one of the most visited travel sites. Website reviews of the tourists for Kackar Mountains National Park is primarily collected through this website. 150 visitor comments were content analyzed. The themes were defined based on the report of Kackar Mountains National Park Directorate. The results show that Ayder plateau is the one which is under high risk related to the protection and usage balance in Kackar Mountains National Park, and it was found that the capacity of the ecological carriage and the administrative / physical carrying capacity were exceeded in that plateau. Ecological indicators have warned against significant danger. Therefore, authorities should take urgent measures as soon as possible.

Dynamics of Tourism Development and Resilience in the Medium Mountains of Portugal

The mountain areas have seen a growing ecocultural and tourist appreciation in the face of natural and cultural resources and housing due to the perception of integrity and authenticity associated with them. However, in Portugal, specific territorial policy interventions as well as guidelines for concerted development of tourism have stayed away from the mountains. It appears that the practises of recreation and leisure are becoming wider, which implies new forms of tourism and environmental planning. These perceptual changes, and even occupation, mean that these areas, previously isolated and hostile due to natural constraints, today have a distinct ownership as a result of awareness and their opening to the outside. Increased accessibility, use of resources, dissemination of ecocultural values, the extension of recreation and leisure activities, and the increase of visitor flows have contributed to their revival as a space for production and consumption, associated with quality and integrity standards.

Sustainability of Tourism Development in Rural and Mountain Areas in Eastern Serbia

The most attractive tourist destinations are those that have preserved natural and geographical environment, protected nature and anthropogenic tourist motives attracting domestic and foreign tourists. Very often rural and mountainous areas in Serbia have been neglected, without developmental perspectives. Sustainable tourism development in these areas represents conditionality for the use of tourism areas, so that they are not destroyed in such a way that future generations cannot use them. Destinations that have the capability to offer such tourism resources are able to be competitors in the tourism market. The significance of tourism development for rural and mountainous parts of Serbia is extremely high given that world tourism trends are oriented towards such destinations. It is about poorly developed areas. This chapter aims at understanding the potential of mountains and rural parts of Eastern Serbia and their inclusion into the tourism offer, using the long-term concept of sustainable development of this part of Serbia.

Rural Tourism

Rural tourism provides an alternative for tourists from traditional sun and sea destinations. For many tourists, rural tourism provides the opportunity to experience authentic socio-cultural experiences of smaller areas in countries. The chapter alludes to different types of rural tourism. The results of two township studies in South Africa provide insights into tourists and resident's perspective of township tours. The unique nature of rural tourism as well as the opportunities and challenges associated with it, are discussed. The chapter provides perspectives regarding the management of rural destinations to balance social, economic, and environmental costs and benefits of these areas.

The Trend of Youth Visitations at Kilim Geopark in Langkawi Islands, Malaysia

This chapter provides insights on youth visitation to KILIM Geopark in relation to tourism activities, hospitality services expectation, and three visitation characteristics. Within a two-month data gathering period, 142 respondents from youths aged 18 to 30 of various nationalities were collected. As geopark tourism activity is a relatively new trend of the nature-based tourism industry, it is assumed the populace will look forward to a distinctively novel tourism experience, and thus, views tourism from a new perspective. Additionally, the populace is determined as the targeted group given the widely known tradition of this group's road trip patterns and engagement. When analyzing the data by means of one-way ANOVA, T-test, Correlation, Regression, and Correspondence analyses, interesting results were observed with regard to visitation characteristics, environmental attitudes, and attractions management aspects. Considering the results presented, practical and sensible solutions are discussed in relation to how youths perceived KILIM Geopark.

The State and Community-Based Projects of Environmental Conservation in Promoting Mountain Ecotourism in Lesotho

Lesotho is divided into four ecological zones, the Highlands, the Foot Hills, the Senqu River Valley, and the Lowlands. Many people in these geographic areas are faced with poverty, unemployment, and other social problems. As a result, they exploit the natural environment for making a living. To conserve the endangered natural species and promote mountain ecotourism, the Lesotho Government established national parks and nature reserves. These state-owned national parks followed a top-down approach where the locals were not involved in the decision-making. Thus, these were subjected to vandalism from communities in the adjacent areas. Some locals have established botanical gardens to conserve environmental resources, thus promoting mountain ecotourism. The state, NGOs, and private entrepreneurs support community-based projects of environmental conservation and mountain ecotourism. While some of the destinations have resulted in establishment of communication networks, many places in the Highlands remain inaccessible and thus negatively impact mountain ecotourism.

Critical Reflections on Pro-Poor Tourism and Local Communities` Participation at Grass-Roots Level

This chapter investigated the extent to which pro-poor tourism benefits are trickling down to the most deserving people in Chimanimani district, Zimbabwe. This chapter critically reflects on pro-poor tourism construct, community tourism development models, community participation and involvement, tourism benefit sharing scheme, and community livelihood in the context of a rural community. A questionnaire survey and focus group discussions were used to collect data. Embedded in the neoliberal and post-modernist perspectives, the chapter established huge potential for the Chimanimani community to benefit from pro-poor tourism. There is even more scope to enhance tourism benefits if the community`s tourism model, extent of participation, empowerment, and tourism benefits sharing scheme are recalibrated.

National Parks, Territorial Brands and Co-Branding Initiatives

Consumers are becoming more environmentally conscious every day. They seek authenticity and natural goods and are willing to pay more for them, particularly for products whose images or brands are linked to specific places. In this context, national parks, which are symbols of naturalness, wildernesses, ecological integrity, biodiversity, organic production, and quality goods, can employ successful, specific, and targeted branding and co-branding policies. For parks, the use of branding strategies that reinforces local image and identity could be a means of raising funds and directing the attention of public opinion towards ecological issues, such as the protection of biodiversity and the enhancement of natural resources. This exploratory study aims to understand whether the brands of national parks can be considered territorial brands, which could generate positive effects for local products, services, and/or resources.

Exploring Experiential Dimensions and Socio-Economic Impacts of Rural and Mountain Tourism on Local Communities in Sabah, Malaysia

The chapter explores the key experiential dimensions of rural and mountain tourism and determines the economic and social aspects of rural tourism development on a selected site, namely Melangkap Tiong, an emerging new rural and mountain tourists' destination in Sabah, Malaysia. The chapter is divided into two sections. The first section briefly introduces rural and mountain tourism, and reviews the key components of the experiential dimensions of rural tourism and mountain destinations. The second section reports the key experiential dimensions and main economic and social benefits of rural and mountain tourism based on the interview responses from a total of 15 rural tourism operators located in Melangkap Tiong, Sabah, Malaysia.