Hearing the ins and outs of the business and marketing side of tourism made me think of this trip through a whole new lens. AMA’s business model seems both pragmatic and effective because they have a valid financial reason to protect nature instead of clearing it for other forms of development. The adventure activities like ziplining and rappelling attract tourists, but the money generated helps the environment at the same time, with reforestation and conservation efforts across the surrounding land. In a way, the business turns the rainforest itself into a serious and sustainable asset that becomes more valuable when it is protected rather than destroyed. Without some type of financial incentive, many natural areas could be at risk of being used for farming, construction, or other industries that are just looking for the quickest dollar.

At the same time, relying heavily on tourism for conservation also creates risks. An event like the pandemic in 2020 showed how quickly tourism can disappear, which can leave conservation projects without stable funding. During low seasons or economic downturns, businesses like AMA may struggle to maintain the same level of environmental protection due to the lack of consistent funds. Alternatives could include stronger government funding, or partnerships with nonprofits, but those sources are often inconsistent or dependent on other external factors as well. To wrap things up, commercializing nature may not be the perfect solution, but at the moment it seems like one of the most realistic ways to generate enough money to actively protect these large areas of nature while still benefiting the local communities of Costa Rica.