https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8820-7764
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ABSTRACT
NGOs have become involved in ecotourism because of its potential to balance economic development, environmental conservation, and socio-cultural revitalisation. However, some critics have associated ecotourism with neo-colonialism and with the perpetuation of economic and political hegemonies because the concept has been advanced from the West. The present study adopts a qualitative research approach to explore the merits of two opposing views – that NGOs facilitate and advance sustainable development or that they are agents of neo-colonialism. The researchers focus on a nation which was spared the experience of colonisation – Ethiopia – to explore whether ecotourism practice can be accurately characterised as ‘neo-colonial’. Through a close examination of NGO involvement in ecotourism, the authors challenge the widely held view that NGOs use sustainable development as a pretext to promote neo-colonial ideas. The paper contributes to theory and practice by explaining the relationship between neo-colonialism and ecotourism. Implications and opportunities for future research are also discussed.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Notes on contributors
Amare Wondirad is an Assistant Professor in Sol International Hospitality Management (SIHOM), Sol International School, Woosong University. He has completed his PhD at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, School of Hotel and Tourism Management. His research interests include ecotourism, sustainable tourism and cruise tourism.
Denis Tolkach is an Assistant Professor at School of Hotel and Tourism Management at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He has been teaching a variety of subjects in the hospitality and tourism field. His main interests are in tourism and development, community-based tourism and nature-based tourism.
Brian King is a Professor & Associate Dean in the School of Hotel and Tourism Management at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. His research interests include tourism, culture and communication and hospitality and tourism leadership.
