Ecotourism and Environmental Conservation An investigation into the Perception of Tourists and Conservation Agencies

Abstract

iv | P age ABSTRACT Although the tourism industry holds much economic promise for developing countries, its positive outcomes come with some unfortunate side effects to the local and ecological inhabitants of the community. It is because of the hardship that tourism brings to native people and their culture that environmentalists emphasize the importance of ecotourism; tourism revolved around a location s natural and pollution free environment. While it s true that ecotourism is not a new concept, there is still much to learn about its results and overall prospects. For this reason it has become important to study the potential and perception of ecotourism, as well as the relationship between ecotourism and environmental conservation. newlineThe study aims to focus mainly on ecotourism in Kashmir, where nature and culture is plentiful and to gain a greater understanding of the relationship between conservation and ecotourism, while at the same time adding to existing research and helping develop ecotourism in Kashmir. The correlation between ecotourism and environmental conservation has been examined with regards to the perceptions of tourists and conservation agencies alike. newlineThe results revealed that there is a positive relationship between ecotourism and environmental conservation with regard to the perception of tourists and conservation agencies. Also it was found that there is no significant difference between the perception of tourists and conservation agencies with regard to the positive relationship between ecotourism and environmental conservation. Lastly, doing so has allowed us to suggest ways to strengthen the development of ecotourism in Kashmir. newline