The European protected areas approach to organizing ecotourism. A study of benchmark protected areas

A confirmatory multiple case study analysis was performed in order to corroborate the role of strategic and participatory approaches for ecotourism development using Protected Areas as suitable contexts. The study aimed to address two key questions: are the strategic and participatory approaches really central to the effectiveness of ecotourism development? Furthermore, how can the strategic and participatory approaches be effective within the process of ecotourism development? The chapter firstly discusses the theoretical background to the study. It then presents the methodology deployed and illustrates the research findings. Finally, the chapter offers the discus- sion and forwards the conclusions, limitations and suggestions for further research.