Field Biologists as the First and Ultimate (Eco) Tourists: Selva Lacandona and Beyond

Biologists constantly attempt to distance themselves from tourists. Some biologists may accept to support an eco-tourist project as a component of a conservation program, but the majority complain about the negative effect of tourists, and all of them are loudly reluctant to share places with tourists. The fact that they claim to be eco-tourists makes no difference since: "science does not mix with leisure".
Yet, I will demonstrate that, far from being two separate activities, field biology and tourism are invisibly and closely intertwined. Indeed, the work of field biologists is the first basic step for the whole eco-tourism industry. Three main aspects of this connection will be highlighted: 1) Creation of new values for the global market by distinguishing some species or places; 2) Offering meaning and a model of proper behavior for tourist-local interactions; 3) Establishing spatial organization of eco-tourism: first accommodation with field stations, first access to remote areas, first trails connecting "interesting" sites, and first visits for potential funders.
The analysis is based mainly on the Selva Lancandona case (Chiapas, Mexico) but I will present some generalizations using fieldwork experiences in others countries and continents. Of course, numerous parallels could be drawn from the situation of anthropologists.

Speaker: David Dumoulin Kervran, Sorbonne

Room 219