Ecotourism : Impacts, Potentials and Possibilities

Ecotourism: Impacts, Potentials and Possibilities analyses 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 galvanised 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.

Dr. Stephen Wearing is an Associate Professor at the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS). His research and projects are in the area of Leisure and Tourism Studies, with a PhD focused on sustainable forms of tourism. Stephen has taught at a variety of universities in his career at UTS, including Wageningen University, Netherlands; Newcastle and Macquarie University, Australia. In 2000, he received an excellence in teaching award (UTS) and in 2008 a National Teaching Award while his teaching of international students at the World Leisure's and Tourism International Centre of Excellence (WICE) and Australian Conservation Training Institute (ACTI) has also been applauded. As Chair, Advisor and Board Member of Youth Challenge Australia (YCA) for over 20 years he has overseen its development into an NGO in the area of volunteer tourism and social development, working with communities in 9 developing countries. His work with range of steering committees including the wildlife steering committee for the CRC Sustainable Tourism, Australia; WICE advisory committee on training, Netherlands and the Australian Conservation Training Institute has given him useful experience in his academic career and service to the community. He is a Fellow and Life Member of Parks and Leisure Australasia and editor of its journal.

Neil is Research Officer, School of Leisure and Tourism Studies, UTS Kuring-gai and Lectures at the School of Tourism Studies, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia.