| This Master's Degree Project discusses two key concepts: ecotourism and tourism planning. An examination of ecotourism's growth factors, definition, markets, impacts, and emerging planning practices is presented. The importance of an integrative and strategic approach to tourism planning is emphasized. There is an application of the key concepts to the Osoyoos region of British Columbia. An analysis of the region's external and internal tourism environments is undertaken to identify the major tourism strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Based on this analysis, a strategy that focuses on the unique natural and cultural attractions and activities of the region is formulated around ecotourism's emerging planning practices. These planning practices are involvement of all key stakeholders, development of an interpretive programme, establishment of visitor guidelines, consideration of carrying capacity and zoning, promotion of sensitive design, application of the business disciplines of marketing, human resources, and finance, and creation of monitoring programmes. The centerpiece of the strategy is the Desert Ecological Interpretive Centre proposed for the Osoyoos area. |
