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Ecotourism Opportunities and their Impacts on Transboundary Biodiversity and International Water Resources
Executive Summary and Recommendations

1. Introduction
The TumenNET area in Northeast Asia comprises the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture of the People's Repubic of China, the Primorsky Territory of the Russian Federation, the Rajin-Sonbong Special Economic Zone of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Eastern Mongolia (annex 1). This report is producced as a result of the Regional Target Orientated GEF/SAP Workshop (Nov/Dec 2000) highlighting Ecotourism as an important direction for future development in the region. Although Ecotourism appears to be an ideal source of income for the region, since poverty is prevalent, little research has been done so far on the effects of Ecotourism on the biodiversity that this form of tourism is supposed to help protect, nor the economy of this region. The repot focuses on the environmental impact of Ecotourism on the biodiversity and International Waters of the protected areas in the region and actions that can be taken to protect the environment. In addition, it formulates a strategy for ecotourism development in the TumenNET area. Each chapter of the report has been put together by one of the countries of the TumenNET area. Mongolia produced the first chapter which provides an introduction to the region with background on the countries and the opportunities for tourism development.

Travel is an internationally growing industry. Particular growth is evident in the Asian region and for many less developed countries; it is becoming the largest income-generating source. Another area of growth is Ecotourism, defined as "travelling to relatively undisturbed natural areas with the specific object of studying, admiring and enjoying the scenery and its wild plants and animals, as well as any existing cultural aspects found in these areas.

Ecotourism should always make nature conservation a priority. It should be a source of financing nature conservation, should involve local people and increase their income. It should be combined with education and should involve the production and selling of local traditional handicrafts. Ecotourism should also minimize infrastructural needs and use alternative technologies.

This report highlights that the TumenNET area is abundant with natural resources and unique biological diversity. With such diversity, it has great potential for tourism development. However, there is concern that economic and industrial development along with the development of tourism could affect this biological diversity and put pressure on the region-wide natural resources. In order to prevent transboundary environmental negative impacts, region-wide mitigation strategies are needed to be developed by all the countries in the TumenNET region.

The Tumen River Strategic Action Program Project is designed to build a foundation for a long-term effective cooperation in the region to encourage development that protects the region. Although national governments have environmental plans and policies, they do not lead to environmental protection over the whole region. Since the ecosystems of the region are of a similar nature, so the steps for protection should be similar. In the same way, collaborative measures should be made for region-wide Ecotourism development, to complement one another.

There are many examples throughout the world where Ecotourism has been used to fund environmental protection. Indeed, the environment is the natural asset on which Ecotourism depends. However, unless properly managed tourism can result in negative environmental impacts such as pollution, resource usr and waste. Ecotourism can be an alternative to conflicts between environmental protection and mass tourism.

The Tumen Region has rich natural assets, beautiful scenery and various ecosystems of international importance. It is fundamental that countries within the region find a way to harness the tourism potential without damaging the environment.

International tourism increases year after year in terms of arrivals and total receipts. The Asia region, in particular is showing growth well above that for the rest of the world. The World Tourism Organization estimates by 2020 that the East Asia and Pacific region will be the second most visited region in the world. Arrival within the Asia Pacific region decreased during the period of economic crisis, although traffic levels have now returned to those of 1996. Tourism is now one of the world's leading industries in terms of foreign revenue and employment generation.

Although China's arrival numbers increased dramatically in recent years, the country along with North Korea, Mongolia and Far-eastern Russia are still very much in the infant stages of tourism development.

2. Ecotourism Resources in the Project Area
The second chapter produced by China highlights the ecotourism resources within the countries that make up the TumenNET area.

The three eastern aimags of Mongolia consist of open grassland and wetlands with a total of 10 protected areas, and a wide variety of flora and fauna, including migrating bird species. Mongolia's traditional tourist attractions include nomadic culture and unspoilt nature. The region also has diversity in landscapes leading to adventure, cultural and nature based tourism activities. Particular attractions include unique flora and fauna in the protected areas, large herds of Mongolian gazelle, sacred mountains, dramatic volcanic traces and stone sculptures. The region also boasts the birthplace of Chinggis Khaan as well as other cultural sites.

The Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture in Northern China is typically agricultural set amongst rolling hills, plains and broad valleys. 78% of the land is forested. The prefecture has seven tourism development zones according to the cultural and environmental resources available in those zones. Popular attractions include the Changbaishan Mountain Biosphere Reserve and new markets are being developed for skiing, golf and fishing. One important cultural site is the ruins of the Bohai state, consisting of a number of tombs.

The Sikhote-Alin Mountain range running north south through the area and the rugged coastline adjoining the Sea of Japan characterizes the Primorsdy Territory in Russia. It has mainly low mountainous landscapes and river valleys ending on the coast. The coastline provides an opportunity for fishing and hunting of game and waterfowl. The southern area of the territory is known for its beautiful landscapes, fine beaches and varied flora and fauna. Ice fishing, mud treatment centres and health spas also provide opportunities for development. Bird watching and hiking are also possible.

The Rajin-Sonbong area in the DPRK is located at the northernmost tip of the country. The area comprises a hilly/mountainous hinterland and a rugged and scenic coastal topography including beautiful bays, beaches and lagoon lakes. Important Ecotourism attractions include Tumen River delta lakes and Seal and Bird sanctuaries. There are archaeological sites that have potential for Ecotoursim development.

3.Tourism Impacts and its Implications
Korea investigates the impacts of tourism development within the region and their implications on the biodiversity and conservation efforts.

Tourism can have both positive and negative environmental impacts. When investigating these impacts consideration must be given to the fact that measuring impacts is usually a reactive rather than proactive activity, it is difficult to establish what environmental impacts are as a result of tourism compared to other economic activities and from tourists instead of local people. Consequences are cumulative and there are spatial discontinuties.

Impacts can vary in degree in different places due to intensity of tourism activity and the sensitivity of the tourism ecosystem, although some general statements can be made. Whereas mass tourism tends to have buildings and infrastructure as major environmental impactors, Ecotourism in the nature of its low infrastructure needs focuses on recreational activities as the main impacts

Coastal and marine tourism impacts include littering, plant damage, noise, water pollution, coral damage, sediment disturbance, over fishing resulting in effects to coral reefs, plants, soil erosion, animal & bird populations, distribution and feeding habits. In addition, superstructure development, such as the construction of marinas, paths, buildings and the supply of services, affects habitats and animal and bird communities..

Within mountain regions tourism impacts include the construction of ski facilities and accommodations, camping, climbing/trekking, rafting and transport infrastructure leading to habitat destruction, changes in species distribution, erosion, increased fire risk, water pollution and damage to vegetation, including deforestation.

Tourism activities on the open steppe and in wetland areas specifically result in visual pollution, disturbance of the natural peace, soil erosion, a decrease in plant diversity, changes in animal distribution, behaviour, breeding and populations, water supplies and pollution.

Generally, tourism development results in economic advantage, although there are some impacts to counteract this. The key elements of change include employment, local income and economic diversification and regeneration Ecotourism focuses on employment and income for local communities and income generation for the protection of natural resources.

Although tourism can be a destructive force on a destination's culture, Ecotourism aims to preserve cultural heritage, appreciation for the customs of local people and respect for their privacy and dignity. In fact some examples show that culture can be revived through tourism. In this area, tourists should be encouraged to learn about indigenous cultures. Cultural impacts can be both real and perceived, can take longer to recognize and are difficult to measure.

To reduce the potential for negative environmental, economic and cultural impacts, a number of planning tools can be used. Landscape planning, land use planning, EIA's, Eco-Audits, GIS, Information and public awareness work, and environmental codes of conduct are all tools sued to ensure that tourism development is more likely to be sustainable in the long-term.

4. Conclusions
The TumenNET region has great Ecotourism development potential. In particular, it has the following resources;
1. Unique geographical location
2. Varied and unique nature
3. Centres of culture, history and science
4. Scenic coaslines
5. Protected Areas
Within the region, smaller regions can be specifically identified for particular Ecotourism consideration. Ecotourism products and activities can be developed in these smaller regions based on recreational attractions, cultural and historic heritage, landscape variety and biodiversity and these areas being within the boundaries of protected areas. Some tourism infrastructure will be required, including energy and water supplies, sanitation, observation platforms, camping places and accommodation. Such infrastructure should be developed in staged phases within the region.

Ecotourism development relies also on:
1. Increased skills of tourism workers
2. Marketing and environmental protection skills of staff in the public sector
3. Service improvements in the private sector
4. Investment planning in human resource development
5. Easier accessibility
6. Providing Ecotourism style facilities
7. Increasing tourist educational opportunities

There are also number of constraints, come of which cannot be overcome. These include poorly developed infrastructure, poor economic capacity for development, legislative problems, accessibility, quality of services and competition between tourism and other sectors of the economy.

China, Mongolia, North Korea and Russia all have the same vision for the development of Ecotourism in the TumenNET region. Although the culture, landscape and biodiversity of each country are different and unique, collectively the region has a rich environmental and cultural heritage. This diversity within the region makes transboundary tourism more attractive.

This report includes the recommendations for further development of ecotourism in TumenNET areas. Developed the a vision ecotourism development and suggested the ways of promotion of ecotourism infrastructure and identified the following type of ecotourism tours in TumenNET areas:

1. Alpine tourism
2. Tour of the Tumen River area by boats and rafts
3. On the traces of Amur tiger and leopard
4. Bird's meeting
5. Tours to the different reserves
6. "Lets live on a desert island"
7. "Sea fishing"
8. "A ring around Lake Khanka"

Also, recommendations covered the following topics on ecotourism development in TumenNET area:
- To develop in detail and realize the tours, which are the most important on international and national levels (tourist routes)
- To develop and realize measures for the improvement of tourist facilities (organizational, economic, information, transport, hotel and others) should be developed and realized
- To develop the Northeast Asian tourism resources data base system-through information sharing on the tourism resources in the region, mutual tourism development projects can prepared
- To Provide enabling policies and legislation and strengthen environment conservation efforts through ecotourism development
- Strengthening capacity building through training of local environment raners and tourism guiders and increase public awareness