Evaluation of ecotourism and its types (using SWOT analysis) : A case study of Kodagu district of Karnataka, India

Kodagu district of Karnataka situated in westernghat which is one of the 34 environmental hotspots with rich bio-diversity in the world. It has many unique features as the beautiful environment, landscape, diversification of social ethnics and traditionally practiced culture. These features could prove to be potential and opportunities for ecotourism development in the region. In the present study we have used SWOT analysis to examine the strengths and weakness of ecotourism. The study is based on empirical field observation with questionnaire survey of different stakeholders of ecotourism like local people/local communities, domestic tourists, international tourists and tour operators/travel ageneses, who are living, visited and service providing in Kodagu district. The results of the SWOT analysis have shown the environment landscape and unique cultural features of Kodagu district in various ecotourism sites posses the strength whereas, sensitive environment and improper utilization of natural resources for earning livelihood and the income of local people were found to be the weakness. Income generation and environmental education were found to be the main few opportunities. Lack of environment protection knowledge and mismanagement of tourist spots were found to be the main threat. The findings have revealed that the Kodagu district has vast potential for ecotourism development. For the development of Kodagu district the ecotourism can contribute in a greater extent. To realize this, the government has to introduce a separate ecotourism policy with environment friendly measures and principles to promote ecotourism in the Kodagu district