Valuing natural and cultural resources for eco-cultural tourism development : Libya's Green Mountain.

This study focuses on achieving eco-cultural tourism development via identification and evaluation of natural, cultural and then eco-cultural resources (in terms of capital and criticality) for identifying the potential of eco-cultural tourism development and also determining the drivers of and barriers to tourism development. This is achieved through the views and perceptions of different cohorts of stakeholders. The case study is Libya's Green Mountain region (hereafter known as LGM). This study has developed a new framework for the identification and evaluation of 'Eco-Cultural Tourism Capital' (ECTC) and 'Critical Eco-Cultural Tourism Capital' (CECTC), to indicate eco-cultural tourism development potential, and also to determine the drivers of and barriers to tourism development. The framework ultimately aims to achieve eco-cultural tourism development. For the purposes of this study, eco-cultural resources are a combination of natural and cultural resources. 'Potential' means resources that can be exploited for tourism development (in this case eco-cultural resources). 'Capital' refers to resources that are perceived to have touristic value and commoditisation value. 'Critical Capital' refers to the extent to which this capital is perceived to be important, unique and non-substitutable. The study found that many of the eco-cultural resources in LGM can be considered as ECTC because they have touristic value which refers to recreational, cultural, historical, health and other value. Such ECTC are considered CECTC because they are important, unique and non-substitutable. CECTC indicates the potential for eco-cultural tourism development and needs to be more carefully focused as well as managed and developed sustainably. There are many factors that encourage tourism development which are considered drivers of tourism development in LGM. On the other hand, there are barriers facing tourism development regarding the local community and lack of infrastructure, facilities and services. Determining drivers and barriers helps to identify the key elements that should be considered and involved in achieving eco-cultural tourism development. Therefore, for developing eco-cultural tourism in LGM, it is necessary to identify potential, local community involvement, investment, and take advantage of the drivers. The results of the study can be applied in other destinations where eco-cultural tourism is underdeveloped. This study contributes to the literature in regard to eco-cultural tourism development and its potential. It explains the ideas of ECTC and CECTC and how they can be used for developing eco-cultural tourism. It then develops a framework for developing eco-cultural tourism. The study also contributes to the body of knowledge about tourism industry in Libya and LGM and eco-cultural tourism in particular.