Ecotourism as Economic Development

Throughout the Global South, agriculture plays a major role in the economy. As agriculture has become mechanized and controlled by multi-national corporations, production occurs at a more massive scale so commodity crops can be produced cheaply for transport to other parts of the world. In the process, local ecosystems are often ploughed under and local economies, which might have had jobs at a variety of skill levels, shift to basic production jobs.

One alternative economic development strategy focuses instead on maintaining and benefitting from local ecology and culture. The term ‘ecotourism’ began to be used in the 1990’s to describe projects that created jobs and economic value by attracting tourists who visit in order to see a special ecology or even a certain unusual bird or animal species. This economic approach, also called nature-based tourism, can take many forms depending on the area and the assets. In addition to its economic value to local communities, ecotourism also provides a foundation for preservation of natural areas and biodiversity.

I saw a great example of successful ecotourism this year in the village of Minggre, in Indonesia’s West Papua province. West Papua, on the island of New Guinea, is home to incredible birds and beautiful rain forests; it also has an amazing diversity of human cultures and a tradition of mistrusting everyone outside your home village or tribe. Minggre is in the Arfak Mountains, in the part of the island called “Bird’s Head” or “Vogelkop” (take a look at the New Guinea island map below and you’ll have an idea why it’s called this). Since the area is known internationally for the spectacular birds in its forest, the community has an economic strategy based on ecotourism.

We landed at the airport in Manokwari, a coastal city that is the provincial capital, and were met by two heavy-duty 4WD pickup trucks. The team of guys with the trucks loaded our bags in the back and climbed in with them. We, our guide and the driver got inside the extended cab. We left the coast and began the climb into the Arfak Mountains. After about 1 ½ hours of rough roads, we arrived in the small community of Minggre. Our hosts welcomed us to our Home Stay. This house, in the center of the village, is usually the residence of one family group. But when there are guests, they move out so the guests can stay in their home. Though simple, the accommodations were fine.

During our visit, we came to realize that nearly everyone in the village is involved in this economic development initiative. Women cooked and served meals in the house’s central common room according to birding schedules – coffee at about 4:30 and breakfast at 5; lunch whenever we returned; and dinner at around 7:30 or 8. They also did laundry and made the trail lunches.

The men drove the trucks, as we’d seen. But it turned out they were also the bird guides. Most of the men in the group who helped us knew the special local birds very well. They guided us (and our guide, who was from another part of Indonesia) on tiny trails to bird “hides” (or blinds) they had constructed in the forest. These were built at places where birds displayed, roosted or fed frequently. They tracked down the birds and shared information about them and, whenever necessary, built new trails or handrails for us on the spot. Even some kids came along and helped out.

It was clear this was the community’s economic development engine. They’d made recent improvements (like installing showers with hot water heaters). They had also negotiated agreements with nearby villages so guests could visit other forest areas.

The income from international ecotourism is at the heart of Minggre. Travel by international birders (who come mostly from Europe but also the US) is the engine driving ecotourism. So long as visitors want to see the amazing natural treasures in unusual places like Minggre, residents can benefit if they choose to protect their forests or other ecosystems.