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Network for Environmentally- & Socially-Sustainable Tourism (Thailand)

Tourism Studies

Back to reviews for books on the natural world Up to Index of Book Reviews Next to reviews of miscellaneous books

Not necessarily related to Thailand, these books discuss tourism as a phenomenon and as a business. The selection presented here ranges from alternative tourism proponents to classic texts in tourism studies.

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"Rethinking Tourism and Ecotravel: The Paving of Paradise and What You Can Do to Stop It" by D. McLaren, 1998, 182 pp

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"Rethinking Tourism and Ecotravel: The Paving of Paradise and What You Can Do to Stop It"

Informative and clear, this book spells out problems which have arisen through the global expansion of the tourism industry, particularly in the developing world. It also contains numerous contacts, including web sites, for those who wish to choose alternative vacations, or contact organisations working in the area of sustainable tourism. The author also challenges many of the "sacred cows" of the ecotourism movement, questioning what is ecotourism, and highlighting some of the problems this type of tourism still needs to resolve. This is a valuable book. However, not all the ills the author lays at the door of tourism really belong there - there needs to be a greater recognition of the complex relationships which contribute to the problems of unregulated expansion of the tourism industry. One cannot solely blame the tourism industry. Other industries operating in similar areas of the world have contributed equally to oppression, exploitation and environmental damage.

Also, while I would agree that the tourism industry can play an important role in bringing distant places closer in the minds of the citizens of the economically-powerful countries of the North, I would hesitate to recommend universally the actions which the author proposes to achieve this. For example, and this is a key recommendation in the book, it may seem merit-worthy to propose discussing issues of poverty, politics, environmental degradation etc. with people one meets in the developing countries of the world. But, this could be completely culturally inappropriate - in some places it requires considerable trust and a long-term relationship to discuss such issues. The very act of discussion can, in the more oppressive regimes, place individuals in danger. In addition, concepts of poverty, environmental degradation etc., are not identified or accepted in the same way throughout the world. And finally, not everyone wants to talk about such issues with a stranger - there is nothing intrinsically wrong in that, and it would be disrespectful to compel a stranger from another country to discuss issues which they do not care to discuss. I would recommend reading this book - it can open one's eyes to the damage which even seemingly "environmentally-friendly" tourism can cause. With that added knowledge, a visit to countries in the developing world will provide more insight. But sometimes, one must wait for those insights to arise, and not force the issue with the people of the country one visits.

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"Thai Tourism: Hill Tribes, Islands and Open-Ended Prostitution" by E. Cohen, 1996

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"Thai Tourism: Hill Tribes, Islands and Open-Ended Prostitution"

An excellent book arising from several years of study over the period that saw the change from the first backpacker ventures into Thailand, to the development of a full-grown tourism industry. It deals with potentially controversial issues like the sex tourism industry in an open and objective manner.

The book provides a broad introduction to the development of tourism in Thailand, and concentrates on the three areas of tourism most heavily-promoted and most immediately recognisable as "Thailand" to many tourists: sex tourism, hill tribes, and islands. This is a comprehensive study of the tourism industry in Thailand, providing an historical context, political influence, and a national scope. The book deals with the demands of the visitor in terms of their search for "cultural authenticity" and how that is defined.

A very useful book!

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"Empty Meeting Grounds: The Tourist Papers" by D. MacCannell, 1992

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"Empty Meeting Grounds: The Tourist Papers"

Sorry!

We're still reading this one..... So far it's been a fascinating read. It explores the psyche behind travel to far away and exotic places.......and is very critical about our various motivations for visiting the "primitive" and "exotic". We'll get back to you, once we've finished it!

In the meantime, if anyone has comments on this book or a review, please do share them with us!

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"Ecotourism: A Sustainable Option?" edited by E. Cater and G. Lowman, 1994

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"Ecotourism: A Sustainable Option?"

Sorry!

Just bought this one, and haven't much of a chance to do more than dip into it! We'll let you know how it turns out when we've finished it.

In the meantime, if anyone has comments on this book or a review, please do share them with us!

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"Marketing Tourism Destinations: A Strategic Planning Approach" by E. Heath and G. Walll, 1992

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"Marketing Tourism Destinations: A Strategic Planning Approach"

Sorry!

Just bought this one, and haven't much of a chance to do more than dip into it! We'll let you know how it turns out when we've finished it.

In the meantime, if anyone has comments on this book or a review, please do share them with us!

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