Herpetological tourism products as an alternative for the conservation and scientific research of amphibians and reptiles, case study: Reserva & Ecolodge Tamandúa (Ecuador)
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Abstract
Ecuador is the third country in the world with the highest number of amphibian species and it has 4.3% of the global diversity of reptiles. however, according to the Red List of amphibians Ecuador 2020, 57% of amphibians are threatened and respecting to reptiles, their conservation status is known only until 2005. That said, a herpetological tourism product was designed for the Tamandua Reserve & Ecolodge, Santa Clara canton, Pastaza province, in order to attract nature photographers who can disseminate through images the biodiversity of the site, and teachers from higher education institutions in the country to carry out scientific research on these species together with their students, thus generating greater economic income for the lodge. The product was elaborated through investigative, not experimental methods, relying on bibliographic reviews and field work. The study was carried out in four stages: first, the evaluation of the herpetological tourist potential of the area through the diagnosis of the territory, inventory of attractions, herpetological inventory and market study. Second, the design of the herpetological product through the creation of an improvement proposal, preparation of the tourist package and its marketing. Third determine the legal viability by reviewing standards and agreements that support the implementation of the product, and environmental viability study with the identification of activities that can generate an impact on the natural components of the site and the evaluation of impacts employing the Leopold Matrix method. Fourth, the financial economic viability was determined to estimate the profitability of the product.
Keywords: Amphibians, Herpetology, Tourism product, Reptiles, Scientific tourism.
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