Ecotourism
Themes in Tourism Series
By Ross Dowling & Stephen Page
Longman / Pearson Education
November 2001
ISBN: 0-582-35658-X
349 Pages
$69.50 paper original
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 2002. However
it is natural area tourism which is one of the most rapidly growing segments
of tourism. Reflecting this huge growth in ecotourism, the authors introduce
students to the primary aspects of this global industry. From the relationship
between tourism and the environment to nature based tourism and ecotourism 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.
The book uses a holistic and integrated approach to ecotourism as an environmental
form of tourism which has developed as a major niche in the tourism industry;
provides a conceptual analysis of the tourism-environment debate and of anthropocentrism
versus eco-centrism as a paradigm impacting upon the use of the environment
for tourism purposes; provides a global approach to ecotourism. Further reading,
web sites and a wide use of figures and plates and up to date information bring
he topic to life in an accessible and comprehensive manner; offers an in-depth
critique of the booming ecotourism industry and its operation, management, development
and effect in different environments. Stephen J. Page is Scottish Enterprise
Forth Valley Chair in Tourism, University of Stirling. Ross Dowling is Head
of the School of Tourism and Marketing, Edith Cowan University, Western Australia.
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