Abstract

This paper assesses sustainable eco-tourism in Ghana with an emphasis on environmental and economic impacts. The study resorted to mixed methods research approach in data collection, analysis and presentation. The study sampled 208 respondents for the questionnaire administration. Besides questionnaire administration, the study employed Key Informant Interviews for the collection of qualitative data. The study reveals that households in eco-tourism communities engage in tourism as a secondary activity from which proceeds are used in providing basic needs. Environmentally, the conservation of natural resources has been a key sustainability issue for eco-tourism development. The sustainability of eco-tourism in rural Ghana lies in its positive environmental and economic impacts on the lives of households in eco-tourism communities.

Key words: Fringe communities, eco-tourism sites, environmental impacts, economic impacts, livelihoods, rural economy.