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Ecotourism and Sustainable Development: Who Owns Paradise?

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This book presents a very comprehensive state-of-the-art review of ecotourism practices in Latin America and Africa, up to 1998, including very detailed discussions of study cases in seven countries, some of which host prime examples of true ecotourism, such as Galapagos Island (Ecuador), several parks in Costa Rica, the Maasai Mara Game Reserve (Kenya), and the Kruger National Park (South Africa). Also, a scorecard for each of the seven countries is presented based on the seven principles of real ecotourism, as defined in the book. Throughout the book, Mrs. Honey makes crystal clear what is considered genuine ecotourism, ecotourism lite and what is pure greenwashing. As it is typical of social sciences, one of the main weaknesses of the analysis presented is that relies too much on anecdotal evidence, but in view of the lack of statistics or quantitative findings from ecotourism research, this limitation is unavoidable.

After reading the book I reached two unexpected conclusions. First, ecotourism is full of contradictions and paradoxes. And second, the whole concept was developed exclusively from the point of view of conservationists and environmentalists, with complete disregard of the most basic principles of economics in a free market, despite being advocated as a means for sustainable economic development.

The book also shows that by the late nineties there were several schools of thought within the field. On the one hand, the more radical conservationists and environmentalists, for whom tourism to pristine natural areas is simply not feasible, conservationism and economic development can't live together. For them, the negative impacts of ecotourism begin from the moment a tourist takes a jet plane to depart from home, and they see negative impacts everywhere, criticizing even the construction of any kind of infrastructure in the vicinity of the ecotourism locals, which is required to attend the tourists.

There is another school that thinks the symbiosis is possible, but they set such contradicting goals, that the principles of genuine ecotourism are almost impossible to achieve in practice, and this is how the paradoxes begin. Some examples. Globalization is the main engine of today's international tourism, and ecotourism is the faster growing segment in the industry. However, scholars are very critical of capitalism and globalization, and sometimes they are advocating for highly centralized government planning of the industry. They want the activity to produce sustainable economic development in the third world, but they do not want too many tourists. They want everybody doing ecotourism during their whole trips, but is this what the regular turist want? Or is this attractive just for a minority looking for an educational experience? Clearly, tourism is a demand driving industry, and even on green trips, most people also want beach and sun, adventure, and fun, not just the genuine ecotourism and its educational aspects, because as recounted in the book, some tourists rather spend the day by the swimming pool than participating all day in guided eco tours. And logically, tourism operators are providing what the market is asking for. Basic economics and business principles are work. Also, how can you keep the lion's share of ecotourism benefits within the local community? Tourism is done through a complex chain of providers, and as the experience has shown, as one site becomes successful, greater numbers of tourists arrive, and the services and infrastructure required become so huge, that these demands are almost impossible to be handled or financed by small businesses and the local community; and then, there is the risk of a bigger environmental impact, things begin to run out of control. And this goes on and on, full of contradictions and paradoxes. Clearly, what is described in the book is ecotourism in its infancy.

As a new crop of books on ecotourism was published in 2007 (see Critical Issues in Ecotourism: understanding a complex tourism phenomenon, Ecotourism Third Edition or Quality Assurance and Certification in Ecotourism (Ecotourism Book)), let's hope that some of the key contradictions and paradoxes have been resolved, and that this time they get the economics right. Also, I am looking forward for the promised 2008 update of Mrs. Money book, particularly because several of the country cases are revisited. Anyway, I do recommend this book for those interested in the origin of ecotourism and the difficulties in keeping a sustainable symbiosis between conservationism and economic development.

PS: An updated second edition (2008) is now available. See my review at Ecotourism and Sustainable Development, Second Edition: Who Owns Paradise?

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!

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.

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

Well-written, comprehensive, and fascinating, Ecotourism and Sustainable Development accurately describes the players, ideas, and activities shaping ecotourism globally. With a rich combination of facts and colorful stories, this book greatly contributes to our understsanding of ecotourism and is a must-read for practitioners and nature travelers.

Elizaeth Boo, Ecotourism consultant and author, Ecotourism: Potentials and Pitfalls.