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Summary: Ideal for prospective ecotourism - and armchair travelers
Review: A good first step for any prospective ecotourist would be to read Martha Honey's book -- and it's a journey well worth taking even for those who plan to remain firmly planted in their easy chairs.Carl Pope, Executive Director, Sierra Club
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Summary: Not so good
Review: 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.
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Summary: Best ANAYLTICAL investigation of ecotourism yet published
Review: 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!
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Summary: An excellent choice for anyone interested in ecotourism
Review: Highly entertaining, joyfully optimistic and painstakingly researched "Ecotourism and Sustainable Development: Who Owns Paradise?" would appeal to both neophytes and those more familiar with the study of ecotourism. The idea echoed throughout the work that one of the world's largest industries is in desperate need of a radical transformation is a very important one and must be recognized by everyone involved in tourism, including the consumer, if the industry is to continue its success into the twenty-first century and, more importantly, contribute to positive social change. The reader should be aware, however, that some of the views expressed in it have not been accepted by all social scientists or ecologists, among them being the idea that protected areas safeguard the environment -- John Vandermeer and Ivette Perfecto's "Breakfast of Biodiversity: The Truth About Rainforest Destruction" is perhaps the best example of a contrasting perspective regarding protected areas. Nevertheless, Martha Honey's latest is truly impressive and would be an excellent choice for anyone interested in ecotourism.
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Summary: Snoozer
Review: 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.
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Summary: Ecotourism the inside perspective
Review: 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.
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Summary: A clear look at who really benefits from ecotourism.
Review: I rarely find occasion to recommend a book widely among my professional colleagues, friends and fellow travelers to wild places. However, Martha Honey's book is an exception. It is a truly interesting book, with sufficient technical analysis to be of use to the specialist and more than enough facts, history, and local colour to appeal to a broader audience. The book is a very clear headed analysis of ecotourism from an on-the-ground perspective. Honey provides a detailed look at the political economy of environmental and wildlife related ecotourism in a number of countries in Africa and Latin America, and manages to provide a great deal of information while maintaining a clear focus on who benefits from the policies and programs that are often "sold" as being of community benefit.
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Summary: First-hand account of ecotourism projects around the world
Review: 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.
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Summary: Highly-recommended investigation of the ecotourism industry
Review: Martha Honey's experience as an investigative reporter serves her well in this exploration of ecotourism. She asks probing questions that traditional travel writers would not, and even describes why this type of journalism is so rare in the travel industry. (Because travel writers are usually the guests of the hotels and agencies they are reviewing, and they are afraid to bite the hands that feed them.). The reader learns about the "greenwashing" that some segments of the travel industry use to mislead travelers with the best intentions, for example the Green Globe awards in which companies can "earn" a green globe award just for signing up with the program and paying the $200 fee! But Honey is not completely unconvinced that true ecotourism can exist. In her seven chapters on individual receptor countries, she describes ecotourism projects that were designed by conservationists with conservation rather than personal profit as a motive. This book provides quantitative and qualitative information, and its fluid prose is a pleasure to read. The book is useful for both the lay traveler and those in the travel industry striving to offer responsible ecotourism opportunities.
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Summary: Highly recommended, most detailed overview available
Review: The release of Martha Honey's book investigating ecotourism marks the end of a 10-year era of gestation and growth in the field. Honey, who began research on the book in the early 1990s, does genuine investigative journalism on the many issues haunting the ecotourism field, from its definition to its sustainability, and provides honest assessments. This book offers the most detailed overview of the evolution of the ecotourism field available today. Highly recommended for ecotourism professionals, foundation officers, bank and multilateral investment specialists and others deeply involved in applying ecotourism as a sustainable development tool, this book is an advanced analysis. In the academic world, it will provide invaluable background information for all students performing research on the issues of ecotourism and sustainable development. Ecotourism and Sustainable Development gives context and history, but it does not offer applied solutions. On a philosophical note, Honey states that ecotourism should be "transforming the way modern, conventional tourism is conducted." This is a point of healthy debate within the field, but not a universally accepted goal. Ecotourism's role as a political instrument of change on the international scene is not its strong point, as Honey points out. But should this be the measure by which the ecotourism field is judged? Honey's book offers a wide variety of fascinating points for debate, and provides an excellent baseline of discussion for all those involved in the development of the ecotourism field. However, less sophisticated readers should be warned that Honey's assumptions need to be carefully debated, not simply accepted. Megan Epler Wood, President, The Ecotourism Society.
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