Paper Example on Eco-Tourism Business in the Maya Mountains

Ecotourism refers to the exploration and conservation of cultural and physical places of interest. Some of the primary attractions that demand conservation and continuous protection include, cultural heritage, historic architecture and natural ecosystems. Belize, is a prime tourist destination, with a lot of different tourist interest that present particular value given to eco-tourism.The tourism industry in the country is the second largest income earner in the country with it accounting for 40% of the countrys GDP.

The ecotourism industry of the country again makes a significant contribution to the economy of the country with an average 6% of the economic output attributed to eco-tourism and associated activities.

Eco-tourism Business in the Maya Mountains

The Maya Mountains present the perfect destination for tourists and eco-tourism activities. The region attracts both local and international tourists citing important attractions like the natural rainforests and thick vegetation cover, beautiful mountain ranges and, rich cultural heritage.

Other attractions in the Maya mountains include historic architecture from the Maya people.

The intention of the business is to play a pivotal role in ecotourism, through the continued support and investment in the exploration and conservation of the Maya mountains. The business intends to conserve both the cultural aesthetics and physical structures that were built by ancient Mayans. The business is in tandem with the countrys policy on the development of sustainable tourism, as detailed in the National Sustainable Tourism Master Plan.

The business intends to see the appreciation, exploration, and conservation of the Maya mountains.

The business intends to achieve its objectives through the incorporation of social and economic considerations as well as environmental issues and specifically, the impact its establishment will have on the local economy.

Value of the business to the local Social and Economic Needs

Every institution has to ensure they're operating in a specific region is considerate to the social and economic needs of the community in which they are located.

Some of the social needs that are realized in this space include, the need for economic empowerment and the improvement of accessibility of social amenities.

The business intends to set up an initiative that will improve economic empowerment through initiatives like training and hiring from the local labor pool and the payment of fair salaries and wages to all employees of the business.

The business will also look at procuring raw materials from local markets. It should improve the local economy.

Joint ventures with local firms and endorsement of local ownerships will also go a long way in improving the overall economic power of the local community. The business intends to achieve this through partnerships with Non- Governmental Organizations which are in the tourism industry of Belize.

The business intends to play an active role in the improvement of local infrastructures and local amenities. Through thorough activism and financial investment, the business intends to improve access to schools and health facilities.

The business will also improve the standards of living of the people in the community through economic empowerment. They too will be able to play an active role in improving access to basic social amenities.

Value of the Business to the Local Economy

The local economy is a primary consideration for which the business must make critical steps to impact positively.

Demographic analysis detail the impervious nature of the Maya mountains and the considerable amount of wealth these mountains have given the right approach towards exploration and conservation.

The business, therefore, will prioritize its investment in the advancement of access to the local economy to the larger global economy. The Maya Mountains are unique to Belize and therefore have intrinsic value to the countrys tourism sector and economy.

The business intends to improve access to financial services through financial empowerment.

Issues about the importance of the proper business etiquette both with visitors and management improve the stability of the local ventures around the region.

Fair pricing and proper inventory management for local shops around the business will improve its value.

These instances should significantly improve the financial and business literacy of the local community.

Improving access to the larger global economy will, therefore, present and attractive, stable and sustainable relationship between the local and global economy.

Value of the Business to the Environment

Eco-tourism take a conservative approach towards the exploration of natural eco-systems and other historic tourist attractions.

The company, therefore, intends to start internally through the continuous reduction and evaluation of their energy use.

Wastage of utilities like water and electricity should be mitigated at all costs. This includes the wastage of food within in partner businesses.

The business should also ensure that their drainage systems are well maintained to improve the use, re-use, and recycling of the water that is used in the business.

The business also intends to improve the value for money for the users through limiting the amount of money that can be spent during tours. This should encourage the local community to take part in tourist expeditions and adventures in the Maya mountains. By incorporating the local community in the business activities, they culture of the Maya will be conserved.

Appreciation for historic sites and proper exploration of the Maya mountains can be achieved.

Conclusion

The business intends to capture the essence of the Maya culture throughout all its adventures. These considerations, significantly improve the sustainability and conservation of the naturally occurring systems and the continued appreciation of the rich culture of ancient Mayans. The business, therefore, takes both an active and collaborative role in improving the local economy through addressing its social and economic needs. In addition to this, the business will improve access to financial services and train to allow for the local economy to trade internationally. The company also has made reservations to improve its use of the resources available. This should advance the environmental conservation efforts of the company.

Recommendation

The business can also look at partnering with local banks to improve access to different currencies as tourists may not use one currency. This will attract some revenue through foreign exchange. In this regard, the business will actively participate in improving the local economy. Other environmental steps that the business can take include the appreciation of indigenous trees. The Maya Mountains are known for their rain forests and therefore have unique species growing in the mountain ranges. This step will advance the academic and scientific exploration of the Maya Mountains. More than mitigation of use of electricity and water among other utilities, the company must take active steps to look at issues like its carbon print and the potential for renewable sources of energy. Incorporation of laps for lighting during the night and solar power can improve their environmental conservation efforts.

Annotated Bibliography.

Blouet, B. & Blouet, O. (2015). Latin America and the Caribbean: A Systematic and Regional Survey, 7th Edit (1st ed.).

This book gives an in-depth analysis of Latin America. It, therefore, points out specific points of interest and demographic issues that Latin American countries face. From this book, the value and potential of the tourism sector in Belize is clearly detailed. The social and political context is also given with important inferences to the value of eco-tourism. The book, therefore, allows the important business information from which the social and economic need of the people of Belize present. It also looks at the challenges facing the local economy and the value of the environment within the tourism industry of Belize. It, therefore, makes for a bulk of the primary analysis on the business in the socioeconomic sector of Belize.

Blersch, D. M., & Kangas, P. C. (2013). A modeling analysis of the sustainability of Ecotourism in Belize. Environment, development and sustainability, 15(1), 67-80.

In this article, the potential for the ecotourism industry in Belize is explored. Some of the concepts that are presented in the article cite the economic viability that Belize presents for the ecotourism business. The article uses a simulation model to investigate the sustainability of the eco-tourism business in the country through environmental conservation. It, therefore, presents some of the measures that a business can take to improve the economic viability and sustainability of its profits through environmental conservation.

Buscher, B., & Davidov, V. (2013). The ecotourism-extraction nexus: Political economies and

Rural realities of (un) comfortable bedfellows (Vol. 10). Routledge.

In this book, the primary focus is the value that eco-tourism can have on local communities. Part of the intention of the business is to ensure that they local community is social and economically empowered. For this to properly be implemented, the business must understand their role in the economic and social empowerment of local communities. It is from this book that the primary basis for the business approach towards addressing the social and economic needs of the local community are addressed. This article, therefore, offers an academic and theoretical perspective on the value that the business should purpose to have from the onset.

Kumble, P., & Pineda, F. D. (2013). Site-specific approaches for managing the impacts of

Ecotourism in Belize, Central America. Tourism and Environment, 2, 113.

The management of similar ventures has come with as many challenges at it has benefits. It, therefore, is important that the business considers a qualitative approach towards looking into the real-time reflections of the eco-tourism industry in Belize. This article presents important questions on the validity of management practices in businesses within the industry in Belize. By looking at their impact on the sustainability of eco-tourism, the business can better gauge their managerial approach.

Holladaye, P. J., & Ormsby, A. A. (2011). A comparative study of local perceptions of

Ecotourism and conservation at Five Blues Lake National Park, Belize. Journal of Ecotourism, 10(2), 118-134.

In this article, a comparative study is undertaken at Five Blue Lake National Park. Belize. The study, therefore, offers a different perspective of how eco-tourism can be run. Given that the locations for the study are on a different occasion, it is an important part of the study as critical assessments of management and incorporation of the local community into the business can be made. Additionally, the study gives a succinct analysis on the manufacturing industries available in the country, the natural features that are in the country and the country gave their experience.