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Eco-Tourism Case Study: Footsteps, The Gambia ‘Footsteps’ is an ecotourism destination in The Gambia. It is built in the style of a traditional African village compound, with nine accommodation huts. It is located close to the village of Gunjur and is open all year round. Most of the tourists come from the UK. Environmental sustainability -electricity from wind and sun -its own vegetable garden reducing transport of products -composting toilets -hot water in showers only lasts 5 mins conserving water -solar powered pump to fill water tanks -water used by guests and hotel is collected and used for irrigation for fruit and gardens -swimming pool water is filtered through reed beds Social Sustainability -guests can watch local women tie dye material and see how a Jembe drum is made and buy these products -the lodge informs guests about local markets so they can buy straight from the local people themselves ensuring all money remains in the pockets of local people -company employs all their staff from local village not HICs - empolyees are paid for the whole year -Local Gambians receive job training and opportunities for promotion in Footsteps or the wider tourism industry -Employees get medical and dental care Economic Sustainability -leakages reduced through use of local employees, local craftsmen, local building materials -purchase of local foods for visitors -employees paid all year 2. Choose an eco-tourist destination you have studied. Explain how eco-tourism can benefit the local community at this destination. [6] Chosen destination .............................................................................. Well received by the majority of candidates. The Gambia proved to be the most successful case study, with candidates writing confidently about specifics, backed up with explanation. Weaker answers focused too much on general ideas about the characteristics of eco-tourism. They did not concentrate enough on the benefits to the local community. ‘Footsteps’ is an ecotourism destination in The Gambia. It is built in the style of a traditional African village compound, with nine accommodation huts. It is located close to the village of Gunjur and is open all year round. Guests can watch local women tie dye material and see how a Jembe drum is made and buy these products, this helps to provide an income and employment for the local community. In addition the lodge informs guests about local markets so they can buy straight from the local people themselves ensuring all money remains in the pockets of local people The company employs all their staff from local village not HICs meaning that none of the profits are ‘leaked’ out of the local area and employees are paid for the whole year whereas normal tourism work is usually seasonal. Employees get medical and dental care provided for them which is something they can not always afford. This improves the health of the local community as a whole.