Ecotourism

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.

Ross K. Dowling is Head of the School of Tourism and Marketing, Edith Cowan University, Western Australia.