Cofan Ecotourism Project in Zabalo, Ecuador
Case Study C0224
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| Date | 1998 |
| Project type | Self implemented |
| Context(s) | indigenous territory |
| Geographic coverage | Ecuador |
| Locality | Zabalo, Cuyabeno region |
| Biodiversity focus | Ecosystem/landscape |
| Development focus | Local community |
| Conservation goals | Conserve the natural resources |
| Poverty reduction goals | Provide alternative income generating opportunities that are not harmful for the environment |
Summary
The Cofan project is one of the longest running community-based ecotourism projects in the world and it is unique among community enterprises studied in the Cuyabeno region. The project is led by Randall Borman, an American missionary’s son who grew up with the Cofan. In the 1980s Borman guided the migration of the Cofan to Zabalo, where they gained tribal ownership rights from the Ecuadorean government, and eventually won the right to manage their own resources. After that, the Cofan of Zabalo worked hard to protect their natural resources by, among other things, preventing overhunting, and allocating areas to be used for ecotourism within the no hunting zone. Until 1992, the Zabalo experience was exclusively sold through Borman to Wilderness Travel, a North American outbound tour operator. In 1992 Borman established a community company with ten Cofan community associates. All associates must work on the enterprise and, in return, they earn a percentage of the profits. The same year, Borman and his Cofan business partners entered into a joint venture with Transturi, called Aguarico Trekking, to give the Cofan a more dependable number of visitors. After a few years of operation, this venture has foundered. However, the Cofan are still seeking to increase overnight tourist stays through their newly built cabins and by installing running water.
The formula of mixing cooperative approaches with community business partnerships, pioneered by this project, is now being successfully implemented in other parts of the world.
Conservation impact
None/Not known
Poverty reduction impact
Total profits from the Cofan project are more substantial than any other community based ecotourism project in the Cuyabeno region, earning an estimated benefit of $500 per year, per community resident. Income is derived not only from lodging, but also from selling of crafts and guided walks and tours.
Strategy for Conservation/Poverty Linkages
Local conservation enterprise opportunities
Provision of alternative livelihoods
Reference 1
http://conserveonline.org/docs/2005/08/America%20Verde%20Community%20Participation.pdf
Reference 2
http://www.cofan.org
More information
Randy Borman
Phone: 011-593-2-2470-946
E-mail: randy@cofan.org