The price we pay : ecotourism’s contribution to conservation in Monteverde, Costa Rica

Recent increase in travel has made tourism one of the highest revenue producing industries worldwide (Inman Draft). Ecotourism has grown in Costa Rica, due to the 5% of global biodiversity and high percentage of protected habitat that the country possesses (Inman Draft). Ecotourism is defined as contributing to the local communities as well as conservation of the natural habitats it is based. I conducted numerous surveys were conducted in Monteverde, Costa Rica, which is an area with ecotourism companies, hotels and restaurants. It was found that the reserves, ecotourism companies and organizations are contributing about 9.68% of their annual revenue to conservation of the Cloud Forest. Tourists were also surveyed in order to determine their willingness to pay for a high quality nature-based experience. It was determined that 97.5% of tourists are willing to pay if they are guaranteed their money is going directly to conservation and environmental education. I suggest that a voluntary ecotax will allow more ecotourism revenue to find its way to ongoing conservation efforts. El aumento reciente en los viajes ha hecho del turismo una de las mayores industrias productoras de ingresos en todo el mundo (Borrador Inman). El ecoturismo ha crecido en Costa Rica, debido al 5% de la biodiversidad mundial y alto porcentaje del hábitat protegido que posee el país (Proyecto Inman). El ecoturismo se define como un contribuidor con las comunidades locales, así como la conservación de los hábitats naturales en que están basados. Lleve a cabo numerosas encuestas en Monteverde, Costa Rica, que es una zona con empresas de ecoturismo, hoteles y restaurantes.https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/tropical_ecology/1556/thumbnail.jp