Abstract

Tourism is now known as the world’s largest industry and a major foreign exchange earner for many countries. With continuously growing tourist numbers, pressure on resources increases, and there is a need to preserve and protect natural, cultural and historic resources. Various more sensitive forms of tourism have emerged and in recognition of the need for this development the United Nations proclaimed 2002 as the International Year of Ecotourism. This book introduces the reader to a number of case studies from different parts of the world and illustrates opportunities and constraints associated with the implementation of the ecotourism concept. 

Michael Lück studied economics and tourism at the University for Applied Sciences in Wilhelmshaven, Germany and in 1998 he started his PhD project with the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand. Michael taught at the University of Otago and at Napier University, Edinburgh, before he took up a lectureship with Brock University in St Catharines, Canada. His research interests are in the wide area of sustainable tourism, ecotourism, wildlife tourism, the impacts of tourism and marine tourism.

Torsten Kirstges studied economics at the University of Mannheim, Germany. After completing his PhD thesis he took up several teaching commitments at various education centres and universities for applied sciences. He has been founder and manager of a skiing tour operator for many years and, since 1992, Torsten has been Professor for Economics and Tourism at the University of Applied Sciences in Wilhelmshaven, Germany. His research interests focus on marketing in tourism and ecotourism/sustainable tourism.