Lebanese university

Faculty of tourism &

Hospitality management

Rayan khaled
Proposal sheet
Third year Travel & Tourism
Management
Title:
The rise in ecotourism in Chouf
Lebanon

Beirut
2017-2018
Introduction:
Ecotourism as a tool of conservation and
sustainable development has been widely
questioned and criticized in recent years.
Ideally, the development of ecotourism
brings together local
communities,tourists,suppliers, and
managers to promote conservation of
natural areas and economic growth in
impoverished communities.
One example is Al-Shouf Cedar Nature
Reserve that stretches from Dahr Al-
Baidar in the north to Niha in the south.
 Core zone of the SBR ( SHOUF
BIOSPHERE DESERVE ) is about 161 sq
km.
 Buffer zone of the SBR is about 54 sq
km.
Aim of the study:
The purpose of my study is to characterize
the impacts of ecotourism and the issues
surrounding conservation. Also to specify
the impacts of the rise of ecotourism
based on locals perceptions.

Research question:
How does the rise in ecotourism affect the
locals who live around Al-Shouf Cedar
Nature Reserve?

Literature review:
Ecotourism is a buzzword that has been
discussed within the conservation and
development community for a few
decades. One of the definitions describes
ecotourism as “traveling to relatively
undisturbed or uncontaminated natural
areas with the specific objectives of
studying, admiring, and enjoying the
scenery and its wild plants and animals”.
Framework for ecotourism

Ecotourism

Protection of
natural areas

Generation of Environment Local

revenue al education involvement

Conservation
Development

Sustainability
Methodology:
The overall methodology of my study will
be based on:
 My own observation for both locals
and arrivals to the site.
 Interviews with locals, the
municipality of Al-Shouf, and the
managers of Al-Shouf Reserve.
 Questionnaires for locals.

References:
http://plaza.ufl.edu/jbhaddle/haddle_j.pdf