Ecotourism: its potential role in forest resource conservation in the Commonwealth of Dominica, West Indies

The island of the Commonwealth of Dominica is endowed with an abundance of natural beauty and biodiversity. The island's mountainous terrain, abundant rainfall, clear mountain streams, lush forests and unique species of flora and fauna put it in an advantageous position as an ecotourist destination within the eastern Caribbean islands, and within the Caribbean as a whole. Approximately 65%, of Dominica is covered with natural vegetation, including the most extensive area of rain forest on any of the Lesser Antillean islands. In recent years there has been a rapid growth in tourism development, based mainly on the island's natural attractions. For the period of 1989 to 1993, Dominica achieved the highest annual increase in visitor expenditure among the Caribbean islands. The economic future of Dominica is very dependent on the management and sustainability of its natural resources.