Tourism in Changing Natural Environments

Natural environments, and the human interactions that occur within, are continuously changing and evolving. This comprehensive volume explores how the impacts of climate change, natural and man-made disasters, economic instability, and other macro-environmental factors can have profound implications for local and global economies, fragile ecosystems, and human cultures and livelihoods. The authors examine the numerous ways in which changes in the natural environment impact tourism, and how the tourism industry is responding and adapting to such changes, in both developed and developing regions.

Through the various case studies that examine human interaction within what are often fragile ecosystems, this book makes it clear that, while adaptation can be passive in nature, it can and should be much more proactive, with individuals and organizations seeking improved knowledge and learning. Such actions will contribute to greater resilience within the tourism industry, whether in response to climate change and its subsequent impacts, or an increasing scarcity of the natural resources upon which tourism relies.

This book was originally published as a special issue of the journal Tourism Geographies.

Natalie Ooi is Assistant Professor and Program Director of the Ski Area Management Program at Colorado State University, USA. Her areas of research include sustainable tourism, mountain resort development and impacts, social capital, and backpacker tourism.

Esther A. Duke is Western Program Director at the conservation aviation non-profit organization LightHawk, and an Affiliate Faculty Member of the Human Dimensions of Natural Resource Department at Colorado State University, USA. She is a social scientist and specializes in ecosystem services and building capacity for collaborative and performance-based conservation.

Joseph O'Leary is Professor in International Tourism at Colorado State University, USA. His research interests include international and domestic travel and recreation behavior.