CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN IMPLEMENTING ECOTOURISM IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
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Keywords: Ecotourism, Developing Countries, Sustainable Development, Community Involvement, Conservation, Challenges, Opportunities##article.abstract##
Ecotourism has emerged as a promising approach to sustainable development, particularly in developing countries endowed with rich biodiversity and unique cultural heritage. This paper explores the challenges and opportunities faced by developing countries in implementing ecotourism initiatives. Key challenges include lack of infrastructure, limited financial resources, inadequate community involvement, and environmental degradation risks. Conversely, opportunities such as poverty alleviation, conservation incentives, cultural preservation, and international collaboration present significant potential for positive impacts. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need for integrated policies, capacity building, and community empowerment to harness ecotourism's full benefits sustainably.
