Ecotourism is a useful concept, but not a very well defined one. It has been debated in theory and attempted in practice for nearly two decades. Its key goal is to reduce the net environmental impact of the tourism industry, via mechanisms including minimal impact management measures, education, community involvement, private conservation, contributions to public protected areas, expansion of ecotourism enterprises and mainstreaming of ecotourism principles.

Focusing on fundamental ecotourism concepts, this broad-based textbook provides a basis for studies into environment-based...