Australasian Journal of Social Science2251-32052251-3213SciAlert10.3923/aujss.2015.1.19MequanintFerehiwot GebremedhinShewit 1201511The study was conducted during the period of January-March 2013. The main objective
of this study was to investigate the contribution of local community for ecotourism
development. Three Kebeles (Daka Hora Kelo, Daka Delu Harengama and Gale fi
Kelo) in and around ASLNP was selected purposively. Data was collected from
135 household respondents through semi-structured questionnaires, key informant
interviews, FGDs and field observation. Descriptive statistical analysis such
as mean, frequency and percentage was used. Lakes, hot spring, eco-friendly
lodge, bird watching, taking photograph and bathing hot spring water were identified
as ecotourism potential sites and activities in and around the park. Majority
of respondents (61%) were mentioned lakes as the most potential sites. The local
community was contributing to ecotourism development through respecting their
culture, protecting nature and by involving in much tourism related activities.
The study revealed the higher contribution of female for ecotourism development
than male, due to wearing indigenous traditional dress, showing indigenous dances
and songs, preparing local handicrafts. The higher respection of culture by
female was confirmed by majority of the respondents (76%). Regarding to nature,
48% of sample respondents reported the higher respection of female to nature
than male, whereas, 46% of respondents said male. Moreover, 84 and 79% of the
respondents said that married people give more value for both nature and culture,
respectively. Of the total respondents, 50% said illiterate have more respect
to nature but the remaining said the literate ones. However, regarding to culture
70% of the respondents said that illiterate give more value than literate. Therefore,
as ASLNP is an ideal place for ecotourism development and the local community
participation in ecotourism development is good, the government and non-government
organizations should give due emphasis for better ecotourism development in
the area.]]>Abdulai, A. and A.C. Rees,200126437452Gobena, A.,20082008Legesse, D., C. Vallet-Coulomb and F. Gasse,20032756785Debushe, F. and A. Itana,20102010Deshingar, P.,19941994Diamond, I. and G.F. Orenstein,1990Er, A.C., M. Ravichandran, N. Lyndon, S. Selvaurai, T.C. Sheau and J.H. Adam,20126213218Etemaddar, F.,20072007Fekadu, T. and A. Rezenom,20022002Glendinning, A., A. Mahapatra and C.P. Mitchell,200129283305Hillman, J.C.,1993Vol. 2,Hoyt, E.,2005105141154Kauffmann, A.,20082008Lise, W.,200510217240Mason, P.,2003Pages: 195Pages: 195Mathieson, A. and G. Wall,1993Elijah-Mensah, A.,20102010Meseret, C.,20102010Mies, M. and V. Shiva,1993Pages: 324Pages: 324NACID,20012001Phimmakong, K.,20112011Scheyvens, R.,200018232249Slinger, V.,200027520523Tafesse, K.,20082008Tenalem, A.,200224167184Torres, R. and J.H. Momsen,20044294318Tucker, H.,2007587105UNWTO,20012001UNWTO,2007Vol. 5,UNWTO,2008UNWTO,2009UNWTO,2010UNWTO,2012Vol. 10,Walters, B.B., A. Cadelina, A. Cardano and E. Visitacion,199959193214Weaver, D.B.,1998WTTC,20132013