Research Papers: 

Impacts of Infrastructure Related to Tourism on Machu Picchu
Abstract: The historical sanctuary of Machu Picchu is one of Peru’s most popular tourist attractions. The site gives visitors the unique opportunity to walk through the historical Inca citadel and hike the fifty kilometer Inca trail. As the number of tourists visiting the site each year rises now over 850,000, social and environmental impacts increase. This paper uses the framework of political ecology to identify the human-environmental impacts of tourism on Machu Picchu and examines the potential shift toward more sustainable methods of tourism in the region. The results of this study are projected onto other locations in order to determine how to successfully develop new systems of sustainable tourism.
Keywords: Machu Picchu, Tourism, Ecotourism, Peru, environment, Political Ecology

The effects of sedimentation from unpaved roads on coral reefs: an analysis of St. John, USVI and Koh Tao, Thailand
Abstract: Land-based sediments pose one of the greatest threats to the destruction of coral reefs. On St. John, USVI, sedimentation from unpaved roads has been identified as the dominant source and greatest threat to its coral reefs. Local and national organizations are now using the research to develop best management practices for minimizing sedimentation rates on St. John. However, many other islands surrounded by coral reefs are unaware of the threats from unpaved roads, and use solely a marine-based approach to reef conservation. This paper analyzes and compares the geography, coral reef characteristics, and road networks of St. John and Koh Tao, Thailand to see if sedimentation from unpaved roads can be considered a threat to Koh Tao’s reef. The results find road-based sedimentation a threat and argue for Koh Tao to take a land and marine-based approach to conserving its reefs, attacking the threat of sedimentation at its source.
Keywords: coral reefs, sedimentation, St.John, Thailand, roads, conservation

Ecotourism along Pucallpa-Cruzeiro do Sul Corridor
Abstract: Ecotourism has the potential to reduce the rate of deforestation occurring in the Amazon River Basin. This paper explores concepts linking ecotourism and transportation before arguing that the Sierra del Divisor region is well suited for an ecolodge to stimulate biodiversity conservation and local economies along a proposed transportation corridor linking Pucallpa, Peru and Cruzeiro do Sul, Brazil. In addition to utilizing ecotourism as a tool for conservation and community empowerment, the paper argues for the construction of a limited stop railway as an alternative to a highway. Utilizing both ecotourism and rail, rather than a road, Peru can promote conservation, while still meeting the economic and political goals of the transportation corridor connecting to Brazil.
Keywords: Ecotourism, Brazil, Peru, tourism, conservation, railway, roads

Other Information: 

Tourism and Biodiversity Conservation: The Sikkim Himalaya 

From tourism site: Adventure Quests

Suresh C. Rai and Rakesh C. Sundriyal explore how tourism affects the Sikkim Himalaya, a region with rich biodiversity and beautiful terrain. The tourism industry has been growing and while this has facilitated improving socioeconomic conditions for those involved, the clash of local needs and tourism has still caused environmental degradation. These authors provide a closer analysis of the tourism industry, the local peoples, the state economy, and the region’s biodiversity. They follow it up with suggestions of how to implement strategies to better manage sustainability, improving conditions for local culture, vegetation, and future tourists. 
From tourism site: adventure-cultural-tours.com

Below, watch a vedio that presents a newly paved road, constructed for tourism, in Jamaica. Imagine what changes this new development may bring.

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