Project Description

This research concerns sustainable indigenous ecotourism development in the Amazon region. The Amazon holds many indigenous tribes and the world’s largest rainforest. Degradation to the Amazon has a global impact. There is an environmental need for an alternative type of land use in the Amazon. Indigenous ecotourism could offer itself as such an activity. However, this concept is very complex. This research investigated whether indigenous ecotourism can be understood through interrelation of the concepts of indigenous people, nature conservation and tourism. Understanding this relation can help uncover some of the complexities of sustainably developing indigenous tourism. The research confirmed that there is indeed an interrelationship between the three key concepts, and that sustainable indigenous ecotourism development indeed can be better understood through this interrelationship. However, indigenous ecotourism remains complex, and more investigation into this interrelationship is required. In addition, the research provides some suggestions for future research, that aim to further sustainable development in the Amazon region.

Author: A. Snel (2021)