Tourist Footprint and Sustainability in the Wetlands of Amazonia: A Quantification Test Based on the Area of the Regional Natural Park of French Guyana

Abstract

Wetlands are some of the most important ecosystems on Earth. We notice that the hectares of wetlands are in the grip of a certain tourist presence by means of developments whose objective is to respond to a demand for discovery, for stays more and more growing. This presence that we can qualify as “tourist footprint” questions the sustainability. The ecosystem constituted is attractive. It activates the motivations in all kinds, because being often located in the interface between the water and land areas.

The development of a territory can be achieved in a sustainable way only if a balance is found to reconcile human activity and preservation of resources. There is strong expectation in territories to enhance a territory’s heritage through the growth of economic activities. This article aims to conduct a quantification test of sustainability given the growing importance of tourism in wetland type sites. We look for a relevant indicator of quantification and evaluation to examine the tourism footprint and sustainability in the wetlands of French Amazonia.