[.ca] Ecotourism and Sustainable Development: Who Owns Paradise? (ISBN 1559635827)

Snoozer:
I cannot believe I paid money for this book. We need information about ecotourism, particularly in the developing world. But the author shows no first-hand knowledge. She includes a lot of reports and obviously attends many policy meetings. But outside of the classroom, I do not think this book is of much use.

Not so good:
Disappointing tome with numerous factual mistakes and a lack of understanding of those the author is interviewing. The book is far too dependent on paper sources and fairly clueless on the ground.

First-hand account of ecotourism projects around the world:
Martha Honey argues that the responsibility of ecotourism operators stretches far beyond their physical impact on the land. She argues that real ecotourism must involve seven vital and interrelated characteristics: travel to nature destinations; minimizing negative environmental impact; building environmental awareness; direct financial benefits for conservation; financial benefits and empowerment for local people; the respect of local culture; and the support of human rights and democracy. Her book is an excellent account of worldwide ecotourism.

Ecotourism the inside perspective:
I found Martha Honey's book to be thought provoking and informative. During the Fall semester of 2000 I plan to incorporate this text into my tourism studies course. The author successfully addresses the truths and myths surrounding the latest buzz in travel "ecotourism" and brings it together with real-world nation studies topics. I strongly recommend this book for anyone wanting to examine this topic to the fullest.

Best ANAYLTICAL investigation of ecotourism yet published:
From the first chapter which defines ecotourism and clarifies its origins, Honey documents and analyzes both the promises and perils of ecotourism. She discusses in various chapters how 'good intentions' or a single logic often miss very negative repercussions for humans and the ecosystem they inhabit. Because the stakeholders have various goals, profit not the least of them, ecotourism is not a panacea for developing countries who might want to take advantage of their natural resources -- in some cases ecotourism is not much better than mining. A major advantage of the book are the several cases: Galapagos, Costa Rica, Cuba, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Kenya and South Africa. A long time resident of several of these countries, Honey is not just a 'quick trip' reporter, but a social historian who gives nuances, contradictions, hopes -- and documents problems. It is a fantastic book!