Tourism is the world's largest industry. In the past decade it is the natural-resource-based sector that has experienced the greatest growth. In particular, adventure, cultural and ecotourism (ACE tourism): for example, skiing, white-water rafting, whale watching, festivals and fairs. This book provides an in-depth overview of the different operations of ACE tourism. It draws on theory from recreation and leisure studies, tourism, marketing, and environmental management to demonstrate the importance of effective program planning. This is especially significant as industry competition becomes more intense in this growth sector.

Using a wealth of international case studies and photos, Ecotourism: An Introduction provides an accessible and comprehensive introduction to the key foundations, concepts and issues related to Ecotourism, the fasted growing segment of the global tourism industry. Among the topics covered are: * the foundations of ecotourism * tourism and ecotourism policy * the economics, marketing and management of ecotourism * the social and ecological impacts of tourism * ecotourism and development * the role of ethics in ecotourism The book includes case studies from Scotland, Austria, the USA, Canada, Mexico and Australia.

Annotation. The global tourism industry continues a trend of sustained growth, moving more people and generating domestic and foreign revenues, often at the expense of the social and ecological integrity of destination regions. As a result, tourism policy makers have been forced to consider a variety of new approaches to ensure that the environment, local people, tourists, and business remain unaffected by the negative impacts of the industry.

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 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.

The Encyclopedia of Ecotourism provides an expert, state-of-the-art and comprehensive knowledge base of the rapidly growing global ecotourism sector. It is divided into eight major sections, and contains 41 chapters, individually authored by international researchers and practitioners in ecotourism. Each chapter combines theory and practice in a complementary way. The scope of the encyclopedia includes definitions and other contextual material, regional perspectives, venues, impacts, planning and management considerations, and issues associated with ecotourism businesses, research and training.

Drawing on case studies from 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 counties and covers cultural ecotours, ecolodges, and bungalows, hunting and fishing tours, cultural attractions and other nature-based facilities or services.