Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Unsustainable natural resource management practices are an increasing problem on Zapatera Island, Nicaragua. As overfishing and deforestation continues to degrade the environment, some community members are looking towards ecotourism as a sustainable alternative. Using grounded theory research methods, this thesis examines the ways in which existing ecotourism has impacted the surrounding community and the feasibility of future ecotourism developments as a natural resource management method to promote environmental conservation and sustainable development. Research was done through semi-structured interviews with ecotourism business owners, ecotourism employees, community members not employed in ecotourism, tourists and a representative from Nicaragua’s environmental management agency in addition to information gained from secondary sources and previous ecotourism research. This study explores the ways in which Zapatera Island can benefit from ecotourism development and how to overcome the possible obstacles that can act as a barrier to these benefits.