TOURISM AND THE ENVIRONMENT: A Quest for Sustainability
With Special Reference to Developing Countries, and Policy Analysis on Himachal Pradesh
About the Book
In recent times, the environment has emerged as a major area of concern worldwide. Notwithstanding the unanimity on the need for limiting environmental damage, there are differences in nature and extent of the problem among developed and developing countries. Owing to the problem of high natural resource: value added ratio coupled with higher output elasticity of natural resource use in the underdeveloped nations, the developing countries are still in the process of exploring the concept of sustainable development. One essential step towards economically efficient management of natural resources and formulating a practical strategy for sustainable development is the effective incorporation of environmental concerns into the decision-making.
Aimed at providing a systematic analysis on tourism’s interaction with the environment and ways to achieve sustainability, discussions in the book revolve around three key concepts: Tourism, Environment, and Sustainability. The fundamentals of tourism like its definition, characteristics of its product and theories of development of tourism are examined to facilitate an in-depth analysis. With the impacts of tourism—both economic and environmental—studied at length, the emphasis of the book is on finding ways to manage tourism in a sustainable way. Discussions on tools of sustainable tourism: the Carrying Capacity Analysis, Environmental Impact Assessment, and Economic Valuation of Environmental Resources, are therefore included. Essentials of environmental policy and instruments of environmental policy are also discussed with possible applications for policy-making in tourism. Finally, with a view to strengthen the practical use of the book for policy-making, a case study on analysis of tourism policy of Himachal Pradesh, and guidelines for making tourism units environment-friendly, are incorporated.
The book will be of interest to students, teachers and researchers of tourism, environment and sustainable development. Besides, the policy-makers and the operators in tourism business will also find it equally useful.
The Contents
Preface
1. INTRODUCTION
The Context
Organisation of the Book
2. FUNDAMENTALS OF TOURISM
Defining Tourism
The Tourism Product
Tourism: An Industry!
Theories of Tourism Development
3. ECONOMICS OF TOURISM INDUSTRY
Balance of Payments Effect
Income Multiplier Effect
Employment Effect
Other Economic Effects
4. TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENT
Defining the Environment
Positive Effects of Tourism on The Environment
Negative Effects of Tourism on The Environment
5. SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT
Sustainable Development
Indicators of Sustainable Development
Sustainable Tourism
Alternative Tourism
Ecotourism
Planning for Sustainable Tourism
Agenda 21 for Travel and Tourism Industry
6. SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AND CARRYING CAPACITY
Defining of Carrying Capacity
Types of Carrying Capacities
Measurement of Carrying Capacity
Limitations of Carrying Capacity
7. ENVIRONMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
Environment and Impacts
Definition of EIA
Project and Environment
The Process of EIA
Methods of Assessment
Choice of Methods
Social Impact Assessment and Quantitative vs Qualitative Assessment
Delphi Technique
Incorporating EIA in Sustainable Tourism Policies
8. VALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
Environment as a Commodity
Total Economic Value
Methods of Valuation
Choice of Valuation Techniques
Applications of Valuation in Tourism
9. FORMULATING ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
Essentials of Environmental Policy
Instruments of Environmental Policy
Criteria for Evaluating Environmental Policies
10. TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE TOURISM IN MOUNTAIN AREAS: A CASE STUDY OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
Mountain Ecosystems
Tourism and Mountain Eco-systems
Main Features of Mountain Tourism
Developing Tourism in Mountain Areas
Mountain Ecosystems and Agenda 21
About the Case Study Area
Tourism industry in Himachal Pradesh: Overview
Tourism Policy in Himachal Pradesh
Environmental Policy Framework in India and in Himachal Pradesh
Effects of Tourism on Environment and Culture
Management of Tourism in Himachal Pradesh
11. CONCLUSIONS
Appendix 1: Going Green: Guidelines for Tourism Industry
Bibliography
Index
About the Author(s)
R.N. Batta, M.A., M.Phil Economics (Gold Medalist) is Additional Secretary, Science Technology & Environment in the Government of Himachal Pradesh. This book is an outcome of extensive research done by the author during his one-year stay in the United Kingdom, on a British Government fellowship. While doing M.Sc. in Macroeconomic Policy and Planning in the University of Bradford, he specialized in Macroeconomics, Enviornmental Economics, and Sustainable Tourism Development in mountain areas. Mr. Batta has written several articles on tourism and the environment, and has served as an examiner for the Master of Tourism Administration course of H.P. University. He has participated in several conferences in India and abroad, and has visited several countries.
An IT professional for 17 years, based in the US since the last 12 years. Founded NGO My Himachal and then Himachal Media Pvt. Ltd.. A Himachali forever. Always trying to bring together people whose hearts beat for the state.
Do you know how i can contact RN Batta? email perhaps? Thanks!