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 Incorporating rigorous scientific insights in specialised fields of research, for example, identifying and protecting critical habits where tourists engage with endangered species, Critical Issues in Ecotourism is an important and ground breaking contribution set to expose the increasingly mythologized field of ecotourism.

'Responsible Tourism presents a wide variety of valuable lessons learned in responsible tourism initiatives in Southern Africa that many tourism practitioners can use in their efforts to make the tourism sector work for the poor and for the environment.' Dr Harsh Varma Director Development Assistance Department World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) 'For those interested in how tourism can assist in the economic and social development of societies in need Responsible Tourism effectively integrates scales and types of knowledge to present an informative stimulating perspective. It will be on my boo.

Co-creation is fast becoming a buzz word in tourism. Traditional approaches to value creation in tourism suggest that operators and suppliers produce goods and services which are consumed by tourists. The value produced is usually measured in economic terms. Co-creation challenges these assumptions, arguing that tourism producers and consumers co-create value together and that this value is more diverse than just economic value. Technologies underpinning social media, ratings and review tools and e-commerce are facilitating the creation of diverse values, and have been responsible for driving innovation in, for example, new business models such as the collaborative economy. Social, environmental, emotional, reputational and other kinds of value may also be produced, and a wide range of stakeholders, not just producers or consumers, might also benefit from the value co-creation process. This edited volume seeks to go beyond the dominant business/management/marketing perspectives that focus on the co-creation of market value and innovation, to excavate complex and critical episodes of co-creation in tourism. By engaging authors from both the academy and beyond, it explores the rich historical linage of co-creation and its contemporary practices. The chapters in this book were originally published in Tourism Recreation Research.

Tourism is the most rapidly growing and biggest civilian industry in the world and ecotourism forms the largest proportion of the present tourism. Since ecotourism involves maximum number of stakeholders, from local communities to the corporate world, proper capacity building of the major stakeholders for effective planning and management of ecotourism has become a prerequisite for the sustainable ecotourism development. This book attempts to fill in this gap. The book addresses the key issues concerning ecotourism management, with special focus on community participation. It deals with a range of topics including the basic concept, forms, potential assessment, planning and case studies of ecotourism. At the same time, it discusses the new concepts and techniques of ecotourism, viz. carrying capacity, community participation and auditing. The book will be useful for practitioners, researchers and other stakeholders in planning and implementation of ecotourism.

Ecotourism continues to be embraced as the antithesis of mass tourism because of its promise of achieving sustainability through conservation mindedness, community development, education and learning, and the promotion of nature based activities that were sensitive to both ecological and social systems. The extent to which this promise has been realised is open to debate. Focusing on an array of economic, social and ecological inconsistencies that continue to plague ecotourism in theory and practice, the volume 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. Ecotourism is a growing field attracting increasing attention from students and academics. Fennell provides an authoritative and comprehensive review of the most important issues that continue to both plague ecotourism and make it one of the most dynamic sectors in the tourism industry. It covers a comprehensive range of themes and geographical regions. Building on the success of prior editions, Ecotourism has been revised throughout to incorporate recent research and benefits from the introduction of real-life case studies and summaries of recent literature. An essential reference for those interested in Ecotourism, the book is accessible to students but retains the depth required for use by researchers and practitioners in the field. New chapters on the theory and application of animal ethics; community development in sustainable tourism; and education and learning in the field have added further value to an already very comprehensive volume. This book will be of interest to students across a range of disciplines including geography, economics, business, ethics, biology, and environmental studies.

Roy and Jan have assembled a timely snapshot of our current understanding of ecotourism, both as a concept worthy of scientific inquiry and as an increasingly significant segment of global commerce and industry. A terrific piece of work! Sam Ham, University of Idaho, US In the 30 or so year since it became established in the tourism literature and in tourism practice, ecotourism has attracted as many proponents as opponents. This Handbook now brings together some of the leading scholars worldwide in this field, to explore the current position of this form of tourism. In doing so, it offers serious critiques, it explores meanings and paradoxes, it offers best practices and it looks to the future. It is the Handbook for one of tourisms fastest growing and controversial sectors. David Airey, University of Surrey, UK This is a most welcome and needed book. With a very strong editorial team and contributing authors, the Handbook covers all the key issues of ecotourism. It cuts through the confusion surrounding the much-misunderstood concept of ecotourism, clearly dealing with definitions, concepts and research issues. The Handbook is particularly welcome for its focus on the visitor experience, a strength of the editors, and for clearly linking the theory of ecotourism with practice in the field. Christopher Cooper, Oxford Brookes University, UK This Handbook brings together contributions from over forty international experts in the field of ecotourism. It provides a critical review and discussion of current issues and concepts it challenges readers to consider the boundaries of what ecotourism is, and could be. The Handbook provides practical information regarding the business of ecotourism; insights into ecotourist behaviour and visitor experiences; and reflections on the practice of ecotourism in a range of different contexts. The Handbook is designed to be a valuable reference book for tourism scholars and researchers.

Ecotourism: Impacts, Potentials and Possibilities analyzes 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 galvanized 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. Using relevant case studies, Ecotourism examines the potential positive social and environmental benefits of ecotourism and is ideal for both students of tourism and practitioners within the tourism industry. Ecotourism will also be of interest to environmental groups, land managers, academics and planners.