Shane Feyers
Yale University
Shane Feyers is an emerging professional in the field of sustainable tourism and conservation development. A veteran of the US Coast Guard, Shane holds a master’s degree in environmental management from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies and a Bachelor of Science in natural resource management from the University of Connecticut. Researching the impacts of ecotourism throughout his studies, Shane is now beginning a collaborative project to develop an international consensus around the principles of ecotourism and will collect and assess data and perspectives from industry professionals to assist IUCN in creating worldwide standards and guidelines for ecotourism. This research is the subject of his presentation, which he hopes will act as a tool to establish a greater network of individuals and organizations willing to contribute to this substantial project. Next fall Shane plans to begin an applied PhD in Sustainable Tourism and Protected Area Management to continue this work.
Today, tourism is the fastest growing industry in the world. In Asia, Africa, and Central and South America, many countries depend on nature-based tourism markets as substantial parts of their nationaleconomic portfolios... [ view full abstract ]
Today, tourism is the fastest growing industry in the world. In Asia, Africa, and Central and South America, many countries depend on nature-based tourism markets as substantial parts of their nationaleconomic portfolios (GDP). Biodiversity hotspots like the Amazon, Congo Basin, and Pacific Islands are
experiencing rapid tourism growth because of the rare flora and fauna and the spectacular opportunities for sights and experiences found nowhere else in the world. In most countries, nature-based tourism in protected areas and greenspaces is on the rise.
However, in order to prevent the equally rapid degradation of these ecological treasures caused by nature-based tourism, ethical guidelines for tourism have been created. Ecotourism, one form of responsible nature-based tourism, calls for visitors and operators to contribute to nature conservation, community welfare, and environmental education. Unfortunately, many ecotourism activities still result in impacts that strain communities and nature and threaten biodiversity and our international natural heritage.
Proposing that IUCN, an equal-rights member-based conservation organization, undertake an initiative to address these deficiencies, this research is the first phase of developing a new internationally collaborative effort to align ecotourism with its conservation imperative. Using IUCN's 2016 World
Conservation Congress as the initial forum to highlight the disparate perspectives of responsible ecotourism, through structured interviews with target government officials, industry professionals, and non-profit managers, I am exploring barriers and opportunities for ecotourism to actually work as a
conservation tool. Creating a random subset of 30 Congress participants based on professional sectors, I will also solicit input from a general audience, recording their perspectives, beliefs, and experiences related to ecotourism. Using feedback from these interviews, along with information gained through
participant observation, structured, and non-directive interviews during conference sessions at the World Conservation Congress and Tourism Naturally Conference, I will develop a preliminary framework to assist IUCN in creating international ecotourism guidelines, performance indicators, and a certification
system. In its final form, this research will incorporate opinions together with previous literature and current trends in ecotourism to advise on what is necessary to make ecotourism an effective tool for conservation, welfare, and education.
