Return to Home Page

November 13, 2008

Book Review: Ecotourism and Sustainable Development: Who Owns Paradise?

Island Press’ new edition of Ecotourism and Sustainable Development: Who Owns Paradise?” by Martha Honey is an interesting read for anyone interested in the burgeoning ecotourism industry. This book attempts to answer the question of whether or not ecotourism fulfills its mission of reducing a traveler’s impact to the places he or she visits, in terms of not only ecological impact, but also in terms of benefit to local communities.

Honey writes,

Although ‘green’ travel is being aggressively marketed as a win-win solution for the Third World, the environment, the tourist, and the travel industry, close examination shows a much more complex reality.

This book is organized into two parts. The first part provides background information and defines ecotourism. The second part is a collection of case studies and analysis from around the world, including: Costa Rica, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Kenya, South Africa, and the United States.

Ecotourism examines the cultural context of ecotourism and the fact that many communities have to compromise some of their values in order to appease and attract tourists. Though she mentions that some resorts and hotels make a special effort to educate travelers regarding local customs and traditions, she also discusses the example of Zanzibar, where she notes on page 185,

Nowhere is the clash between Western culture and conservative Muslim culture more apparent than in the streets of the Stone Town. Each evening, sun-worshiping, scantily clad tourists crowd into the many bars for sundowners while Zanzibari men head to mosque for prayer.

Ecotourism is well-researched, boasting 81 pages of footnotes. However, the academic presentation should not deter the casual reader. This book is an excellent resource for students, industry professionals, or travelers interested in analyzing tourist impacts on local communities.

Posted by |  
Category: Readings from the book world


3 Responses to “Book Review: Ecotourism and Sustainable Development: Who Owns Paradise?

  1. Boedus Travel Blog - Web Digest of Travel Resources :: » Book Review: Ecotourism and Sustainable Development: Who Owns … :: http://www.travelwebdir.com/travelblog Says:

    [...] Read the rest here: » Book Review: Ecotourism and Sustainable Development: Who Owns … [...]

  2. Emma G. Moran Says:

    I want to read more, so interesting topic because I am a lover of nature, our paradise.

  3. Dr M C Chibuzor Says:

    Dear Sir,
    SOLICITATION FOR BOOKS & STUDY MATERIALS
    I hereby write to seek your kind Donation of Books and other study materials from your Department and members of your Faculty . As the Dean of my School at the Royal College Of Science & Technology, I feel challenged by what I call acute shortage of reading Materials (Books) for both our students and Faculty Staff. Our College is a Co-Educated Model University sponsored by State Government The College for sometime now has been experiencing neglet,lack of care and sponsorship by by the Government and all the Authorities concerned and I feel the only way we can keep going is by soliciting for Donation of Textbooks in various fields of Studies such as in Arts, Social sciences, Sciences, Engineering, medicine,Technical and vocational studies,Dictionaries,Encyclopeadia,Tapes and FAIRLY used Laptop computers,Table Top Computers, Projectors, VCR Recorders, Audio visual aid and other learning materials such as SAT, GRE, GMAT,TOEFL and other Professional Examination Pack for our ever increasing Students which has grown to an astronomical heights and population in the School .These Books and materials would be used by the entire Students and the Faculty Staff of our College.Please we NEED Books that are less than ten or twenty (10 or 20) years old.We will be very grateful if our request would granted by you .While we remain,
    we look forward to favourable reply by you.
    Thanks.
    Sincerely.
    Dr M.C. Chibuzor, Dean,
    Royal College of Science & Technology
    College Park , PO Box 74961
    Victoria Island , 101007-74961Lagos ,
    NIGERIA
    Tel;+ 234 805 898 5899
    Fax; + 2341 791 2869
    E-mail;royalcollegestng@yahoo.com
    E-mail:royalcollegest01@hotmail.com
    Please we would appreciate your Organizing a Book drive for our College libraries.

Leave a Reply

Main

Bio

Books

Stories

Essays

Video

Interviews

Events

Images

Writers

Marco

Guide

News

Paris

Vagabonding.net

Contact

Marco Polo Didnt Go There
Rolf's new book!


Vagabonding
   Vagabonding


RECENT COMMENTS

brian from nodebtworldtravel.com: Absolutely much less than than that if you’re...

Pedro: Try to make those changes with a state that has no money and in places where the...

CathyS: As someone who works with those retired who want to travel, but are concerned...

ellen: the boulder event is for newbies. if you are an experienced writer, looked to...

Travel-Writers-Exchange.com: Thanks for the information. There are many people looking...

Chris: One of those indelible wisdoms, shared by a professor who mentored me in...

envy: Interesting..

Claire Litton: Hi, Nora: Thanks for your notes! I’ve actually written an article...

Cath Duncan: Great quote. I’ll look out for the book. I think the world is now...

Tyza: You are all paranoid. Everything said about South Am is a hoax. ANYWHERE you go...

SPONSORED BY :



CATEGORIES

TRAVEL LINKS

ARCHIVES

RECENT ENTRIES

Special July fares for multi-stop tickets on BootsnAll
The right budget for Southeast Asia?
Take a hike on the “Recession Trail”
Everything Everywhere: Q&A with Gary Arndt
HelpX - Volunteer to help out
Only firsthand experience can validate or challenge our intuitions
“Where Am I Wearing?” iPod Giveaway
New legislation to encourage study abroad
5 Tips for self-studying a foreign language
Book Review (and Giveaway!): Lost on Planet China


Subscribe to this blog's feed
Counter