Ecotourism

By David A. Fennell

Focusing on an array of economic, social, and ecological inconsistencies that continue to plague ecotourism in theory and practice, this book examines ecotourism in reference to other related forms of tourism, impacts, conservation, sustainability, education and interpretation, policy and governance, and the ethical imperative of ecotourism as these apply to the world's greenest form of tourism.This revised edition includes: new information on the magnitude of the tourism industry, nature-based tourism and the pros and cons of mass ecotourism; revised chapters on development, economics, marketing, policy, ecotourism in practice and biodiversity conservation; a section on governance models, ecotourism programmes, operators and guides, interpretation, certification, and ecolodge design; a discussion of ecotourism as an ethical or responsible form of tourism; and, approximately 300 new references. It includes case studies and considers the perspectives of many adjacent fields, including geography, economics, business, philosophy, biology, and environmental studies. More

Critical Issues in Ecotourism: Understanding a Complex Tourism Phenomenon

By James Higham

Critical Issues in Ecotourism seeks to shake the current stagnant literature on the subject of ecotourism out of a state of complacency. Drawing upon emerging insights provided by pre-eminent scholars in the field it identifies and comprehensively addresses current critical issues. Accessible to both academic and non-academic audiences, it provides the reader with the following:

* A critical, direct and hard hitting analysis of the real issues that apply to the field of ecotourism
*Contributions from prominent international scholars that address issues of relevance to a diverse and international readership
* Dissemination of the scholarly works of social and natural science addressing this field
* A collection of works by outstanding international scholars, in a comprehensively planned and integrated book ..More

Ecotourism: Principles and Practices (CABI Tourism Texts)

By R. Buckley

Ecotourism is a useful concept, but not a very well defined one; it has been debated in theory and attempted in practice for nearly two decades. Its key goal is to reduce the net environmental impact of the tourism industry, via mechanisms including minimal impact management measures, education, community involvement, private conservation, contributions to public protected areas, expansion of ecotourism enterprises and mainstreaming of ecotourism principles.Focussing on fundamental ecotourism concepts, this broad-based textbook provides a basis for studies into environment-based tourism. It covers key topics such as the management, economics and potential environmental impacts both positive and negative of this popular and growing sector.Written for tourism students and an ideal resource for undergraduate courses, "Ecotourism: Principles and Practices" will also interest industry practitioners and researchers. More

Ecotourism

By David B. Weaver

"Ecotourism, Second Edition" has been thoroughly revised to reflect contemporary developments in ecotourism. Building on the strengths of the first edition, the text discusses the significance of ecotourism in the domestic and international tourism sector. Ecotourism origins, markets, venues and impacts form the basis of the first part of the book. Business aspects of ecotourism, external environments, organisations and policies are examined in the second part of the book, along with special environments and activities such as whale watching, islands, polar regions and indigenous territories.The management of ecotourism is covered comprehensively and is illustrated by extensive industry and destination examples derived mainly from the peer-reviewed literature. A highlight of the book is a regional survey of ecotourism that offers comparative insights into ecotourism in Australia, the South Pacific, Asia, Europe, the Americas and Africa. Ecotourism is a high yield tourist category within the national tourism industry and issues such as site planning and development, operator obligations and best practices, strategic management and the role of indigenous communities have become crucial professional and industry considerations. More

Facing the Wild: Ecotourism, Conservation and Animal Encounters

By Chilla Bulbeck

Ecotourism is the fastest growing segment of tourism, the world's largest industry. Encounters with wild animals, be it swimming with dolphins, going on safari or bird watching, are at the core. Yet little is known about why people seek out these experiences and the meaning for the ecotourism industry, conservation efforts and society at large. Facing the Wild is the first serious empirical examination of why people seek out animals in their natural environment, what the desire for this experience tells us about the meanings of animals, nature, authenticity and wilderness in contemporary industrialized societies, and whether visitors change their environmental perspectives and behaviour, as the custodians of parks would like them to. The book explores the contradictions and ambivalence that so many people experience in the presence of 'wild nature' - in loving it we may diminish it and in the act of wanting to see it we may destroy it. Ultimately the book makes a case for 'respectful stewardship' of a 'hybrid.. More

Ecotourism and Sustainable Development: Who Owns Paradise?

By Martha Honey

Around the world, ecotourism has been hailed as a panacea: a way to fund conservation and scientific research, protect fragile ecosystems, benefit communities, promote development in poor countries, instill environmental awareness and a social conscience in the travel industry, satisfy and educate discriminating tourists, and, some claim, foster world peace. Although "green" travel is being aggressively marketed as a "win-win" solution for the Third World, the environment, the tourist, and the travel industry, the reality is far more complex, as Martha Honey reports in this extraordinarily enlightening book."Ecotourism and Sustainable Development", originally published in 1998, was among the first books on the subject. For years it has defined the debate on ecotourism: Is it possible for developing nations to benefit economically from tourism while simultaneously helping to preserve pristine environments? This long-awaited second edition provides new answers to this vital question." More

Ecotourism

By Peggy J. Parks

The goal of ecotourism is to help tourists gain awareness and appreciation for a particular area or region. They do this not just by looking at nature, but by actually experiencing it. Participants in ecotourism programs may hike through a forest or swim in a coral reef among brightly colored fish. No matter what they do, they leave the natural environment as they found it. This book will help readers understand ecotourism: what it is, what it does, and whether or not it actually works as it was intended.

Environmental Impacts of Ecotourism: Ecotourism Series

By Ralf Buckley

All forms of tourism have impacts on the natural environment. The impacts of ecotourism tend to be concentrated in areas of the highest conservation value, hence the need to manage and minimize these. This comprehensive text considers the impact of off-road vehicles, recreational boats and activities such as hiking and camping on destination areas, as well as impacts particular to specific ecosystems such as marine, polar and mountain environments. It incorporates reviews of extensively studied impacts by well-known experts, as well as recent research. More

Ecotourism: Impacts, Potentials and Possibilities

By Stephen Wearing, John Neil

Ecotourism: Impacts, Potentials and Possibilities analyses the impacts of mainstream tourism in first, second and third world countries, and argues the benefits of adopting the philosophical approaches of ecotourism to create a more sustainable tourism industry in every country around the world.

Conservation and ecotourism issues are now at the forefront of public opinion. The decline of natural rainforests, loss of endangered species, global warming and land degradation have galvanised public support for conservation. Building on the success of the first edition, this text has been fully revised and updated to include:
* Updated and new international case studies
* A new chapter devoted to the theory and technique of Rapid Rural Appraisal (the practice whereby communities are empowered to improve their own environment)
* Questions and further readings at the end of each chapter to facilitate student's learning.
* Critical analysis of ecotourism. Explores the movement of ideas around post-modern approaches to the field. More

The Encyclopedia of Ecotourism

By D. B. Weaver, K. F. Backman, E. Cater

The encyclopedia provides a comprehensive, state-of-the-art knowledge base of the rapidly evolving ecotourism sector from the perspective of academic experts and practitioners from around the world. It contains 41 chapters that combine theory and practice in a complementary way. The scope of the encyclopedia includes definitions, regional perspectives, venues, impacts, planning and management considerations, and issues associated with ecotourism businesses, research and training. More

Ecotourism and Conservation in the Americas: Ecotourism Series

By A. Stronza (Edited by), William H. Durham (Edited by)

Ecotourism has been credited with conserving biological and cultural diversity, alleviating rural poverty, increasing public awareness of environmental concerns and strengthening ties between tourism operators and local populations. For these reasons, ecotourism has grown in popularity with tourists as well as governmental development agencies and conservation organizations. Over twenty years after its inception, it now needs to be asked: Does ecotourism measure up to its environmental, social and economic ideals?Using detailed case studies, regional overviews and thematic analyses, "Ecotourism and Conservation in the Americas" evaluates the pros and cons of ecotourism for communities and ecosystems. Focusing particularly on the Americas, perspectives are drawn from private tour operators, non-governmental conservation and development organizations, local and indigenous communities and tourism researchers. Chapters discuss local benefits and conservation value through discussions of social impacts, the assessment of conservation potential, environmental education and the setting and maintaining of standards. More

Quality Assurance and Certification in Ecotourism

By R. Black (Edited by), A. Crabtree (Edited by)

Genuine ecotourism can have many positive impacts, particularly the conservation of biodiversity and cultural heritage and the creation of economic opportunities for local communities. While promoting these, it aims to eliminate negative impacts such as environmental degradation, cultural commoditisation and playground effects. Unfortunately, the concept is broadly misunderstood and its true definition widely debated. It is often used as a marketing tool, with some operators taking advantage of the ecotourism label to attract more business while behaving in environmentally irresponsible ways. This book considers the important topic of quality control and accreditation in ecotourism, describing the mechanisms that can be implemented to ensure quality in all aspects of the industry, namely protected areas, businesses, products and tour guides. More

Indigenous Ecotourism: Sustainable Development and Management (Ecotourism Book S.)

By H. Zeppel

Drawing on case studies from the Pacific Islands, Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia, this book examines ecotourism enterprises controlled by indigenous people in tribal reserves or protected areas. It compares indigenous ecotourism in developed and developing countries and covers cultural ecotours, ecolodges and bungalows, hunting and fishing tours, cultural attractions and other nature-based facilities or services. The book reviews indigenous ecotourism as a special type of nature-based tourism and examines the conservation and community benefits of indigenous-owned and operated ecotourism businesses. It concludes by analysing prospects for sustainable development of indigenous ecotourism and the growing links between biodiversity conservation, ecotourism and indigenous rights. More

Ecotourism, NGOs and Development: A Critical Analysis

By Jim Butcher

Ecotourism has emerged over the last twenty years not just as a market niche, but also as a strategy for combining development with conservation in the developing world. Ecotourism, NGOs and Development considers the basis for advocacy and argues that it is premised upon a very limited and limiting view of the potential for development.

Jim Butcher examines the advocacy of tourism as sustainable development in a range of NGOs and within the general literature. The research reveals that in spite of the plethora of critical commentaries on the operation of ecotourism projects, there is generally an uncritical take on the ideological basis of the projects.

This book offers a timely critique of key assumptions underlying ecotourism's status as sustainable development, arguing that ecotourism as development strategy ties the fate of some of the poorest people on the planet to localized environmental imperatives. More

Marine Ecotourism: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea (Ecotourism Series)

By Erlet Cater, Carl Cater

Within the context of other economic activities that may compromise the success, if not the very existence of marine ecotourism, this text examines the wide range of marine ecotourism resources, not only natural, but also cultural and man-made. Covering economic, marketing planning and regulation issues, this book also considers the vital role of marine ecotourism in raising awareness of the significance of the seas and oceans to sustainable coastal livelihoods. At a time of great concern over the effects of climate change and high profile issues such as depletion of fish stocks and oil spillages, the insights this book provides are essential reading. More

Ecotourism Development in India: Communities, Capital and Conservation

By Seema Bhatt, Syed Liyakhat

Ecotourism is a term debated upon by practitioners all over the world. The initiatives carried out in the name of ecotourism have adversely affected people and the environment. The indigenous and local communities have raised voices against such steps at local, national and international levels. However, sustainable ecotourism - tourism carried out within certain defined norms, can lead to the development of the people. Ecotourism Development in India attempts to present a comprehensive and analytical perspective on the development of ecotourism in India . This book showcases the key policies and legal frameworks linked to ecotourism development at national and international levels. The consequences of large-scale models of ecotourism in terms of responses and impacts, both negative and positive, are presented through select case studies. It is intended to facilitate effective formulation and implementation of conservation and development policies and practices. More

Ecotourism in Scandinavia: Lessons in Theory and Practice

By Stefan Gossling, Johan Hultman

Interest in ecotourism in Scandinavia has seen recent growth. Extended forests, rivers, and lakes allow for a great variety of nature-based activities, such as hiking, mushroom collecting, kayaking, snow mobiling and bird watching, making Scandinavia a unique region from a nature-based tourism perspective. EEcotourism in Scandinavia: Lessons in Theory and Practiceis the first book to comprehensively describe, analyse and evaluate aspects of Scandinavian ecotourism and will appeal to researchers and students of ecotourism. More

Ecotourism (Themes in Tourism)

By Ross Dowling, Stephen Page

Accessible core text dealing with the relationship of tourism and nature, providing a contemporary analysis of the impacts of tourism upon the environment.Tourism is the fastest growing industry in the world and the fastest growing component of it is ecotourism. The current growth rate of tourism means that there will be approximately 650 million international tourists by 2001. However it is natural area tourism which is the most rapidly growing segment of tourism and the WTO estimates it generates approximately 8% of all international travel expenditure (WTO/UNEP 1992). Reflecting this huge growth in ecotourism, Dowling introduces students to the primary aspects of this global industry. From the relationship between tourism and the environment to nature based tourism and ecotourism's impacts, the book presents students with a comprehensive examination of what ecotourism is, where it lies within tourism, and the issues that have arisen in the development of ecotourism within such a huge global industry. More