Volume: 15  Number: 5  Page: 463–482  doi:10.2167/jost725.0

A Decommodified Experience? Exploring Aesthetic, Economic and Ethical Values for Volunteer Ecotourism in Costa Rica

Noella J. Gray and Lisa M. Campbell Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, Duke University, Marine Lab Road, Beaufort, North Carolina, USA

Volunteer ecotourism has been described as an ‘ideal’ form of decommodified ecotourism that overcomes problems associated with tourism in general, and ecotourism specifically. Using a case study of volunteer ecotourism and sea turtle conservation in Costa Rica, this paper interrogates this ideal. Perceptions of volunteer ecotourism were explored through in-depth interviews with 36 stakeholders, including hosts, NGO staff, government employees, local ‘cabineros’ (families who provide accommodation) and guests (volunteers). Results show that while all stakeholder groups share similarly positive views of volunteer ecotourism, subtle but important differences exist. We analyse these differences in terms of aesthetic, economic, and ethical values, and situate the results in existing theories about the moralisation and decommodification of ecotourism.

Keywords: Costa Rica, decommodified, ecotourism, non-governmental organisation (NGO), sea turtle, volunteer tourism

Copyright © 2007 N. J. Gray & L. M. Campbell

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