Michelle Wang-Week 8

Jones and Spadafora discuss that ecotourism emerged in Costa Rica in the 1970s and thrived because of the government, public and private sectors, and growing industries (3). Costa Rica achieved national aesthetics because there is a connection between government and industries. Jones and Spadafora also emphasized that Costa Rica’s ecotourism focused on protecting biodiversity, preserving environmentalism, natural resources, and community development jobs (3). This created a growing economy with more jobs. Costa Rica’s ecotourism responds to its problems and challenge.  Polidoro and Morra state that Costa Rica was known for its pesticide contamination and environmental contaminants (2). In response to its challenge, Costa Rica focused on bringing ecotourism industries and focusing on educating others about the environment.  I believe Costa Rica was successful in its ecotourism and branding. US entrepreneurs entered Costa Rica and Latin America. This strengthens international cooperation and promoted Costa Rica to the international market. Costa Rica focused on its problem and its innovations serve the people with preserving environmentalism and more jobs.           

However, Costa Rica should continue to advertise itself to the international market and focus more on cultural tourism. Some tourists may not be interested in ecotourism and ecotourism only interests a group of tourists.  EcoDestinations Kenya also discusses that ecotourism is preserved in Kenya with educating others about environmentalism and protecting its national preserves (1). 

The most valuable component of our research is that Bhutan’s aesthetics through culture, preserving the environment, spirituality, and rich history. With Costa Rica’s ecotourism, my group hopes to continue to find ways to market Bhutan and make it more well known. We strive to make our product beneficial for the Bhutanese and spiritual tourists. I believe that social entrepreneurs can be an asset to our company and through collaboration, we can ensure that our product is reputable. The brand will encourage others to learn more about happiness and explore a friendly and spiritual environment.  Our slogan will be Journey To Beautiful Bhutan and the brand will provide viewers an opportunity to explore and experience a peaceful and relaxing environment.

Question: What are other potential startups that Costa Rica should consider?

Image Citation: Kakamega Forest National Reserve-Kenya. 2015. N.p.

Works Cited:

"EcoDestinations-Kenya ." (n.d.): n. pag. The International Ecotourism Society , 2016. Web. 22 Feb. 2017. <http://www.ecotourism.org/kenya>.

Jones, Geoffrey, and Andrew Spadafora. "Entrepreneurs and the Co-Creation of Ecotourism in Costa Rica." (n.d.): n. pag. Web. 2016. <https://canvas.ucdavis.edu/courses/72045/files/folder/Readings/Week8?preview=852457>.

Polidoro Beth, and Matthew Morra "An ecological risk assessment of pesticides and fish kills in the Sixaola watershed, Costa Rica ." (n.d.): 1-9. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelbe, 2 Feb. 2016. Web. 23 Feb. 2017. <https://canvas.ucdavis.edu/courses/72045/files/folder/Readings/Week8?preview=852458>.