Ecotourism in Central America:
Practice and Potential
Martin Mowforth
Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Plymouth, UK
Different perceptions:
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BELIZE
Scott, a Canadian, 9th October 1995
"This used to be a really exciting area,
man. Like, when the wars were on, in
Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala and
El Salvador, every bus'd be stopped. It
was exciting, OK."
The 1980s saw many
immigrants from the
rest of the war-torn
region - many illegal
and undocumented.
The young, middle class backpacker adventuring for
experience and their c.v.
The middle-aged and old, wealthy tourists visiting national
parks, areas which are protected - especially from the
activities of local people.
Ross, a Brit, 4th May 1996
"I'd really like to get there before it all
changes too much. I mean, I know it
already has changed, but there's still a
chance of seeing the real El Salvador,
like it was in the '80s."
Richard, a Brit, 26th March 1994
"Shit, the police are raiding the place.
All customers being searched. Machine
gun at the door. Hand guns out.
Should I be here? For some
reason (?!) they leave me out."
GUATEMALA
100,000 civilians killed,
38,000 'disappeared' by
government troops or
death squads between
1966 and 1986.
Local campesinos whose efforts to survive are
undermined by an influx of goods and an increase of
prices associated with the arrival of hoards of tourists.
Local tour operators eager to exploit the natural wealth of
their country.
Mike, a Canadian, 15th December 1989
"These people are developing a real
culture of the gun here."
EL SALVADOR
11 years of war - 80,00 killed,
mostly civilians, 1 million refugees
and 8,000 'disappeared'.
HONDURAS
187 'disappeared' in the
1980s - executed by the
Honduran military.
1980s: Served as a
platform for the US-funded
contras to wage war
against Nicaragua.
Foreign investors who can see profit opportunities in a
newly opened and expanding market.
NICARAGUA
Thousands of civilians
killed by US backed
contras who targetted
schools and health
centres, since 1981.
Unknown, May 1992
"Standard thing in Central America:
keep your rucksack in front of you and
your hands in your pockets. You've
really got to keep your wits about you."
COSTA RICA
Militarisation of the Costa Rican
police by US, and illegal use of
private air strips for arms to the
contras and drugs to the US.
PANAMA
Western support for convenient
dictator Noriega, until he became
inconvenient.
New tourism in every country
Young adventurers in Costa Rica
On the hippy trail
Old adventurers arriving in Belize
from their cruise ship
The culture of travel
"Tourism and
Sustainability:
New Tourism in the Third
World" by Mowforth and
Munt. Published by
Routledge, London, 1998
Snapping real live locals in Nicaragua
OR Capturing real poverty to show
back home