THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF ECOTOURISM AND NATURE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT ON A COSTAL COMMUNITY: THE CASE OF CHETICAMP, INVERNESS COUNTY, CAPE BRETON, NS

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1 THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF ECOTOURISM AND NATURE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT ON A COSTAL COMMUNITY: THE CASE OF CHETICAMP, INVERNESS COUNTY, CAPE BRETON, NS Adam Kilcollins, Vermont Forests, Parks and Recreation Glyn Bissix, Acadia Since the release of the Brundtland Commission report, Our Common Future, acceptance of sustainable development as an important economic development goal has begun to permeate society. What was once only a theoretical concept espoused by environmentalists marginalised in policy decision-making, has now moved closer to mainstream politics. As a consequence the notion of sustainable tourism development, which encompasses ecotourism and nature tourism is now more likely to remain in the policy spotlight. Based on the analysis of various secondary datasets, this paper assesses the costs and benefits of ecotourism and nature tourism development to Cheticamp, Nova Scotia (see Figure 1). Tourism is a growth industry throughout the world. One sector in particular is responsible the natural resource based tourism sector that includes both ecotourism and nature tourism. Tourism's role in society has evolved largely due to increased opportunity and changing consumer demand. This has stimulated the growing importance of this economic sector in society. Historically, tourism was primarily used as a regional development strategy to provide jobs. Now ecotourism and nature tourism are increasingly used both as economic and conservation development tools. Figure 1 To Show Location of Cheticamp & Cape Breton Highlands National Park Polletts Cove/Aspey Fault Proposed Wilderness Cape Breton Highlands Nova Scotia Atlantic Ocean Source: arks/n

2 While economic growth and stability remain an important incentive for ecotourism and nature tourism development, natural resource conservation is an increasingly significant aspect of both. This growing emphasis on maintaining environmental quality provides a major incentive for resource managers and conservation groups to become actively involved in tourism development. Ecotourism especially, draws attention to tourism's potential as a sustainable development tool. Ideally ecotourism activity strives for minimal impact on the environment, ensures that the host community maintains its locus of control over natural resource exploitation and its own destiny, and sensitively plans for the long-term with a community development focus. In its theoretical and conceptual form, ecotourism provides an ideal sustainable development strategy for natural resource dependent communities. Despite this overall optimism, a review of the critical literature provides reason for caution. One drawback in fully embracing initiatives banded as ecotourism and nature tourism is the lack of universally accepted definitions. This problem is largely attributed to the variety of stakeholders in the tourism industry that adopted the ecotourism and nature tourism label without changing present practice and with no accountability to sustainable development ideals. Especially troublesome is the misuse of the prefix 'eco' in ecotourism. Worldwide less scrupulous marketers have used 'eco' to increase their products' appeal. In the early 1990's, for instance, many companies shanghaied the term ecotourism to market tours that had little to do with ecology or the promotion of conservation. This left many consumers confused and reluctant to buy any product marketed as ecotourism. In response to this consumer reaction many tourism entities, including the Nova Scotia Department of Economic Development and Tourism (NSDED&T) moved away from using the term 'ecotourism' to using 'nature tourism' in its place. The term nature tourism makes fewer pretenses about a conservation ethic; it refers simply to travel to natural areas. Despite the assault on ecotourism's original intent, genuine ecotourism companies have associated to develop standards to distance themselves from 'deceptive' ecotourism activities. The travelling public has responded to these efforts but still must be cautious about 'ecotourism labeled' trips. There are many reasons for rural communities to want to develop ecotourism and/or nature tourism. Both ecotourism and nature tourism can provide jobs and economic independence to host communities. In areas of chronic unemployment, even a few new jobs can have significance (Lindberg & McKercher, 1997). Both ecotourism and nature tourism can lead to increased conservation of natural areas in and around the host community as well as give rural communities a source of external capital. Ecotourism and nature tourism also offer host communities an alternative to resource consumptive industries; for example, mining and forestry that might otherwise be the only alternative to address local unemployment problems. This economic development alternative is particularly relevant for Cheticamp where this community has been hit hard by the downturn in the ground fishery formally a major employer-and the possible exclusion of mining in the now legally protected widerness area nearby: the Jim Campbells Barren. There are clearly trade-offs to factor when adopting natural resource based tourism approaches. Even potentially profitable ecotourism and nature tourism development often have unforeseen impacts on the host community. These costs include social and environmental as well as more indirect economic impacts. It is clear from this study that Cheticamp, with its resonant Acadian culture, may be more at risk than many anglophone communities of similar size and structure. In adopting any tourism economic development activity, Cheticamp is in danger of risking its cultural and social uniqueness to meet tourists' needs. Nevertheless, as suggested in the literature reviewed in this study, there are ways of minimizing ecotourism and nature tourism's negative social impacts and maximizing benefits to the local community (see: Lindberg, 1991). Involving the host community in the development and implementation process is an important step in helping to avoid such difficulties. Based on the evidence and the analysis provided, ecotourism is an industry that Cheticamp should consider developing further. Cheticamp is a community with few other industrial development options.

3 With the Cape Breton Highlands National Park (CBHNP) at its doorstep, and given Cheticamp's culture, more could be done to develop nature and cultural tourism within a community development context. This could involve local expertise in running and guiding ecotourism activities in CBHNP, on the Cabot Trail, and in nearby provincially protected areas. This study indicates that exploration into eco and natural tourism for the Cheticamp region could create a locally owned and controlled ecotourism industry using CBHNP as the focal point. Recommendations for Future Study This study reviewed relevant literature regarding natural resource based tourism, especially its costs and benefits, and then considered these in the context of potential ecotourism and nature tourism development in the Cheticamp region. Future studies should closely examine the potential of all the thirty-one proposed protected areas for Nova Scotia, but especially the Jim Campbells Barren and the Polletts Cove/Aspey Fault Wilderness within Cheticamp's vicinity as ecotourism attractions. In addition, a closer examination should be made of CBHNP as to its potential to attract ecotourists to the region. Such studies should highlight what attributes CBHNP has to attract ecotourists and what possibilities these offer to local communities as economic development opportunities, as well as ways and means to conserve its natural resources. One study could build on Anderson's study (1997) of public reaction to CBHNP establishment and development. This should examine ways for park managers and the local community to guard against overexploitation of the park, its surrounding natural resources, and the local community. It is also recommended that a study document the ecotourism expertise in the community, the need for additional training, and the availability of support from government agencies to ensure a viable industry and the needed safeguards to ensure its sustainability. References Anderson, C. (1997, May) Public Reaction to Protected Area Establishment and Management: The Northern Cape Breton Greater Ecosystem. Lindberg, K., & McKercher, B. (1997). Ecotourism: A critical overview. Pacific Tourism Review, 1, Lindberg, K. (1991). Policies for maximizing nature tourism's ecological and economic benefits. World Resources Institute. World Commission on Environment and Development (Brundtland). (1987). Our Common Future. Oxford: Oxford Press. Contact Information: Glyn Bissix, Recreation Management Program, Acadia, Wolfville, NS, BOP 1X0. glyn.bissix@acadiau.ca Phone: (902) Fax: (902) Back to the table of contents

4 ABSTRACTS of Papers Presented at the Ninth Canadian Congress on Leisure Research May 12-15, 1999 Acadia, Wolfville, Nova Scotia Editor: Paul Heintzman Assisted by: Karen Naugler and Sean Smith Printed and bound by Acadia Printing Services Copyright 1999 Canadian Association of Leisure Studies Organizing Team for the Ninth Canadian Congress on Leisure Research: Glyn Bissix Tom Delamere Paul Heintzman Scott Hennigar Susan Markham-Starr Heidi McKinnon Neil Munro Karen Naugler Brenda Robertson Jerry Singleton I

5 The Canadian Congress on Leisure Research Is held under the auspices of the Canadian Association for Leisure Studies Le Congres canadien de la recherche en loisir se tient sous les auspices de L'Association canadienne d'etudes en loisir BOARD OF DIRECTORS/CONSEIL D'ADMINISTRATION President/Presidente Dr. Edgar L. Jackson of Alberta Past President/President-sortant Dr. Susan M. Shaw of Waterloo Vice-President & Treasurer Vice-president et tresorier Robert Soubrier Universite du Quebec a Trois-Rivieres Secretary/Secretaire Dr. Tom Hinch of Alberta Directors/Directeurs Dr. Linda Caldwell Pennsylvania State Dr. Wendy Frisby of British Columbia Dr. Susan Markham-Starr Acadia Dr. Lisa Ostiguy Concordia Dr. Paul F. Wilkinson York Dr. Don Dawson Universite d'ottawa Dr. Colleen Hood Dalhousie Dr. Gaetan Ouellet Universite du Quebec a Trois-Rivieres Dr. Bryan Smale of Waterloo II