Eco-tourism and development / Shikha Sharma.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction -- Eco-tourism development: challenges and opportunities -- Economic impact analysis in tourism development -- Challenges of eco-tourism development -- The development of eco-tourism as a sustainable tourism -- Spatial planning for sustainable tourism development.

"Ecotourism is defined as "responsible travel to natural areas which conserves the environment and improves the welfare of local people." Many see it as a panacea for developing nations a source of clean development that can bring wealth to rural communities while simultaneously helping to preserve pristine environments. Ecotourism is a sub-component of the field of sustainable tourism. Ecotourism's perceived potential as an effective tool for sustainable development is the main reason why developing countries are now embracing it and including it in their economic development and conservation strategies. Ecotourism, as an alternative tourism, involves visiting natural areas in order to learn, to study, or to carry out activities environmentally friendly, that is, a tourism based on the nature experience, which enables the economic and social development of local communities. It focuses primarily on experiencing and learning about nature, its landscape, flora, fauna and their habitats, as well as cultural artifacts from the locality. Ecotourism needs to be professionally packaged
and developed through education so that ecotourism can be sustainable. In addition to paying attention to the preservation of the natural environment, ecotourism certainly needs to pay attention to social and cultural aspects. The natural environment is still a major attraction in ecotourism development and is very influential to attract tourists. This book provides a unique and compelling look at the promise and pitfalls of ecotourism. It is the only such account of worldwide ecotourism available today, and is an important guide for students and researchers involved with international development, geography, or tourism, as well as for anyone interested in becoming a more environmentally sensitive traveller"-- Back cover.

English.