Inca Trail - Ecotourism

• Ecotourism
  • tourism that doesn't harm the environment, whilst benefitting the local environment
  • allows traveller to become educated, whilst providing funding for conservation
• Stewarship
  • conducting, supervising or managing something in a responsible way
• Conservation
  • proccess of maintaining natural and man-made landscapes

• 400,000 visitors each year
• visitors could walk 550 year old route without guide
• little rubbish disposal
• path quickly being eroded
• overcrowded campsites
• lack of proper sanitation meant sewage was entering water systems

• Peruvian government created 7 rules:
  • no independent trekkers allowed
  • all walkers must be accompanied by a qualified guide
  • maximum group size fixed at 16
  • closure in February (to allow conservation projects to take place)
  • number of visitors restricted to 500 per day
  • visitors pay entrance fee $50 & $25
  • porters given reasonable working conditions

• pollution disappeared
• erosion of walkways and pathways has been reduced
• landfill rubbish bagged up and carried out
• greater awareness of potential damage
• ACEER receive donations from sponsership of people walking trail
  • used to protect areas under threat from too much disturbance

• investment made into improving campsites and toilet facilities
• entrance fee increased January 2001
  • $50 for adults
  • $25 for students
• purchasing souvenirs provides income for local shops
• ratio of workers to trekkers improved
  • 200 trekkers to 300 staff

• porters wages and working conditions have improved significantly
• wages fixed at £10 a day
• safety of trekkers improved
• maximum weight allowed to carry fixed at 25kg

Aim of ecotourism is to:

• ensure tourism does not exploit the natural environment or local communities
• consult with local communities on planned developments
• make sure that infrastructure improvements benefit local people  and not just tourists