PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION THROUGH ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOTOURISM VENTURES IN THE U.S.- MEXICAN BORDER REGION.

This proposal addresses one of the issues identified by Border XXI Working Group—ecotourism in the border regions. In particular, it seeks a market-based approach to solving some of the environmental problems in the border region. The research team views the promotion and encouragement of ecotourism as a particularly attractive strategy for combating environmental degradation in border states. If a critical mass of entrepreneurial activity in the ecotourism industry is reached, a sense of “ownership ” will develop in which the environment takes on an economic value and importance not enjoyed now. This ownership culture may then lead to increased pressure on government and business for practices that preserve and enhance the quality of the environment. Ecotourism is not a panacea and has its dark side. In the Baja peninsula, for example, a booming and economically successful ecotourism industry based on whale-watching has paradoxically resulted in substantial ecological degradation to the region due to the large number of tourists involved. The negative consequences must be prevented if ecotourism is to be successful in the already fragile border region. The purpose of the work presented here was to research, evaluate, and recommend an action plan to encourage and support entrepreneurial ecotourism ventures along the U.S.-Mexican border. It also includes recommendations for eliminating the possible negative environmental consequences of this activity. The full report is divided into chapters including