Many countries rely on cultural sites and destinations to support their economies. However, they are faced with the ongoing challenge of sustaining tourist attractions and maintaining the equilibrium between the local community and tourist populations. Sustainable Tourism: Breakthroughs in Research and Practice features current research that takes an in-depth look at cooperative strategies and governance for conserving and promoting tourism within both developed and developing economies. Highlighting a range of topics such as tourism development, environmental protection, and responsible hospitality, this publication is an ideal reference source for entrepreneurs, business managers, economists, business professionals, policymakers, academicians, researchers, and graduate-level students interested in the latest research on sustainable tourism.

It is in the best interest of all concerned that tourism become sustainable and environmentally compatible. This need for "sustainable development" is and more by the responsible parties. Moreover, in the being recognised more search for solution strategies the realisation is gaining ground that tourism must be viewed as a worldwide phenomenon whose development must be co-ordinated in a co-operative effort spanning regions and continents. That the preservation of biological diversity also requires global co operation has been confirmed by over 170 countries which have already acceded to the "Convention on Biological Diversity". It is thus an important task to provide the foundations for joint action. Germany, one of the largest source countries of international tourism, must feel particularly obligated in this regard. The report published here is the result of a research project com missioned by the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation. The study pursued and examined the thesis that the Convention on Biological Diversity be used as a central instrument for arriving at international principles and regulations for combining nature conservation and tourism which could lead to a sustainable development of tourism. To further the discussion, the authors brought the study to a logical conclusion by working out a proposal for a "tourism protocol" additional to the existing Convention on Biodiversity. Such a protocol additional to the Convention would entail the stipulation of internationally binding implementation and regulations for achieving sustainable tourism.

Contents: Biodiversity, Living with Diversity, Saving the Planet, Population and the Environment, Ecosystems, Our Unknown Protectors, Climate Change and Human Health, Population Growth and Climate Change, Economics and Sustainable Development, Urbanization and the Environment, Sustainable Cities, Fresh Water and the Environment, Forests, Towards Healthy Cities, Global Warming, Money Alone is not Enough, Tourism and the Environment, Energy and Sustainability, Cities Residents to the Rescue, Children s Health and the Environment, Ecotourism or Ecocide? Sustainable Tourism Development, Economics and Environment, Population Growth and Energy, Population Growth and Urbanization, Population Growth and Waste, Using Economics to Advantage, Water, Solutions for a Water-Short World, Living with Leviathan, An Agenda for Change, Sustainable Tourism and the Environment, Big-Dam Construction is on the Rise, Population Growth and Fresh Water, Population Growth and Natural Recreation Areas, Development of Sericulture, The Do s and Don ts of Risk Reduction, Consuming the Future, Crisis Prevention, Crisis and New Orientation of Development Policy, Aid Effectiveness as a Multi-Level Process, The Dematerialisation of the World Economy, What s Driving Migration, Not Yet Fossil Fuel.

This book describes the state of the art of tourism planning and management in national parks and protected areas. It also provides guidelines for best practice in tourism operations. Other objectives are to: Describe case studies and guidelines that contribute to conservation of biological diversity; consider the role of local communities within or near these areas; outline the development of tourism infrastructure and services; discuss visitor management; provide guidelines to enhance the quality of the tourism experience. The focus is global and the book will appeal to both academics and practitioners.

It is now widely agreed that the climate is changing, global resources are diminishing and biodiversity is suffering. Developing countries – many of them considered by the World Tourism Organization to be 'Top Emerging Tourism Destinations' (UNWTO, 2009) – are already suffering the full frontal effect of environmental degradation. The challenge for developing countries is a triple-edged sword, how can economic prosperity be achieved without the perpetual depletion of nature’s reserves, the destruction of rural habitat and the dislocation of traditional societies? Many emerging nations are looking increasingly to the tourism industry as the motor for economic development, with hospitality businesses at the forefront. This book uses twenty-five case studies to demonstrate how it is possible to create income and stimulate regional socio-economic development by using sustainable hospitality and tourism attractions. These case studies focus on issues such as the protection of indigenous cultures as a source of touristic curiosity; the preservation of the environment and the protection of endangered species – such as the plight of turtles in Sri Lanka or butterflies in Costa Rica to encourage tourism. Some cases cover government supported projects, for example, the green parks venture and regional tourism development in the Philippines, an archaeological park initiative in Honduras and the diversity of nature tourism in St. Vincent. Sustainable Hospitality and Tourism as Motors for Development is designed to give students, academics and practitioners a guide for best practices of sustainable hospitality operations in developing countries. Based on case studies, it provides a road map of how to achieve the goals of sustainability giving benchmark examples. The book not only taps into a contemporary business subject, but aims to provide readers with a better understanding of how sustainable theories can be put into practice in hospitality and tourism industries in developing countries.