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TOURISM, RECREATION, AND SUSTAINABILITY, 2nd Ed.
Publications in review / Annals of Tourism Research 36 (2009) 743–756
749
Annals of Tourism Research, Vol. 36, No. 4, pp. 749–750, 2009 Printed in Great Britain
TOURISM, RECREATION, AND SUSTAINABILITY, 2nd Ed. Edited by Stephen McCool and Neil Moisey. CAB International (http://www.cabi.org/) 2008, ix + 296 pp. (tables, figures, charts, references, indexes) €90.00 Hbk. ISBN 978-1-84593-470-5 David L. Edgell Sr. East Carolina University, USA Sustainable tourism is currently generating considerable interest throughout the world. In a broad sense, sustainable tourism is a part of ongoing research and dialogue that includes such concerns as global warming, climate change, economic development, environmental conservation, and a host of related policy issues. This edition of Tourism, Recreation and Sustainability is the second, the first edition being published in 2001. This eight-year hiatus between the editions spans a time frame that has seen sustainable tourism policy concerns evolve dramatically. New definitions and relationships of sustainable tourism as it relates to fields of study such as eco-tourism, geo-tourism, green tourism, and other forms of tourism have led to some confusion in understanding the implications for tourism development. This edited book addresses many of these subject areas. Twenty-three contributors have written sixteen chapters, many of which include case studies and original research based in several different parts of the world. Some of the chapters are updates from papers published in the first edition. In other cases, authors prepared completely new chapters taking into account the developments and new nuances in this dynamic field. The book editors, McCool and Moisey, note different approaches are possible for discussing research on sustainable tourism, but they settle on two major themes in research: ‘‘What should tourism sustain?’’ and ‘‘Tourism as a tool for development’’. The editors acknowledge early on that sustainable tourism is complex and difficult to define. In an attempt to group the chapters in a logical order, the book is structured into three parts. Part I, ‘‘Frameworks and Approaches’’, addresses issues such as the relationship of sustainable tourism and eco-tourism, sustainable tourism development, relation of sustainable tourism to social concerns, and other approaches to a discussion of sustainable tourism. This section reflects the fact that there are many different ways to address sustainable tourism and each may involve a separate framework. Case studies are introduced to give the reader a better understanding of the issues involved. Part II, ‘‘Tourism and Place’’, recognizes that different destinations require a need to understand the values, environment, and cultures inherent in the local community. The various chapters include several excellent case studies from differing parts of the world illustrative of ‘‘tourism and place’’. It is clear from the chapters in this section that a critical need exists for more and better strategic planning in tourism at the outset of the development. Part III, ‘‘Emerging Issues in Culture and Tourism’’, addresses the complexities of adjusting tourism to meet the needs of sustainability in a dynamic world. Public interests and values are in constant flux, thus increasing the responsibilities of policy-makers and planning authorities to respond accordingly. Adjusting to these
750
Publications in review / Annals of Tourism Research 36 (2009) 743–756
emerging issues in a sustainable way and with a measure of improving the quality of life of the local populations is a considerable challenge. The last chapter in Part III, ‘‘Sustainable Tourism in the 21st Century: Lessons from the Past, Challenges to Address’’, by the editors is an excellent critique of where research has been and where it needs to go in the future. It is a stand-alone chapter in that it provides by a comprehensive look at the theme—emerging issues—of Part III. In fact, Tourism, Recreation and Sustainability would have been greatly improved if the last chapter had been a lengthier discussion of these important topics instead of the limited nine-page presentation. Tourism, Recreation, and Sustainability succeeds in its aim to discuss the wide ranging issues in sustainable tourism and in addressing the critical role of sustaining cultures and environments for future generations. It does not hide the pitfalls along the path to sustainable tourism; in fact, it takes them head-on in the discussion. It fully recognizes that many of the decisions rest entirely with the policy-makers and may include a strong need for public will or moral suasion by the local populations to preserve the best of the community while, at the same time, reflecting on future opportunities for improvements. Policy-makers, community stakeholders, researchers, students, and developers need to partner in an effort to sustain tourism destinations and communities into the future. This book will be a helpful tool for all those concerned with tourism sustainability, whether it is in the classroom or on-site at the destination. This anthology presents the magnitude of sustainable tourism interests with a refreshing look. For tourism practitioners, this book may throw new light on aspects of tourism development. In addition, there are important contributions for students and professors, particularly in reference to the book’s depth and coverage. This book would be an excellent supplemental resource for graduate-level courses. In summary, there are now many books in print or in the process of development about sustainable tourism. However, Tourism, Recreation, and Sustainability provides important information and new insights into the understanding of the theory, concepts, and practicality of sustainable tourism. It is a must-read publication and should be on the bookshelves of anyone interested in sustainable tourism. David L. Edgell Sr.: Department of Hospitality Management, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA 27858. Email. Assigned 2 March 2009. Submitted 1 April 2009. Accepted 3 April 2009. doi:10.1016/j.annals.2009.04.010
749
Annals of Tourism Research, Vol. 36, No. 4, pp. 749–750, 2009 Printed in Great Britain
TOURISM, RECREATION, AND SUSTAINABILITY, 2nd Ed. Edited by Stephen McCool and Neil Moisey. CAB International (http://www.cabi.org/) 2008, ix + 296 pp. (tables, figures, charts, references, indexes) €90.00 Hbk. ISBN 978-1-84593-470-5 David L. Edgell Sr. East Carolina University, USA Sustainable tourism is currently generating considerable interest throughout the world. In a broad sense, sustainable tourism is a part of ongoing research and dialogue that includes such concerns as global warming, climate change, economic development, environmental conservation, and a host of related policy issues. This edition of Tourism, Recreation and Sustainability is the second, the first edition being published in 2001. This eight-year hiatus between the editions spans a time frame that has seen sustainable tourism policy concerns evolve dramatically. New definitions and relationships of sustainable tourism as it relates to fields of study such as eco-tourism, geo-tourism, green tourism, and other forms of tourism have led to some confusion in understanding the implications for tourism development. This edited book addresses many of these subject areas. Twenty-three contributors have written sixteen chapters, many of which include case studies and original research based in several different parts of the world. Some of the chapters are updates from papers published in the first edition. In other cases, authors prepared completely new chapters taking into account the developments and new nuances in this dynamic field. The book editors, McCool and Moisey, note different approaches are possible for discussing research on sustainable tourism, but they settle on two major themes in research: ‘‘What should tourism sustain?’’ and ‘‘Tourism as a tool for development’’. The editors acknowledge early on that sustainable tourism is complex and difficult to define. In an attempt to group the chapters in a logical order, the book is structured into three parts. Part I, ‘‘Frameworks and Approaches’’, addresses issues such as the relationship of sustainable tourism and eco-tourism, sustainable tourism development, relation of sustainable tourism to social concerns, and other approaches to a discussion of sustainable tourism. This section reflects the fact that there are many different ways to address sustainable tourism and each may involve a separate framework. Case studies are introduced to give the reader a better understanding of the issues involved. Part II, ‘‘Tourism and Place’’, recognizes that different destinations require a need to understand the values, environment, and cultures inherent in the local community. The various chapters include several excellent case studies from differing parts of the world illustrative of ‘‘tourism and place’’. It is clear from the chapters in this section that a critical need exists for more and better strategic planning in tourism at the outset of the development. Part III, ‘‘Emerging Issues in Culture and Tourism’’, addresses the complexities of adjusting tourism to meet the needs of sustainability in a dynamic world. Public interests and values are in constant flux, thus increasing the responsibilities of policy-makers and planning authorities to respond accordingly. Adjusting to these
750
Publications in review / Annals of Tourism Research 36 (2009) 743–756
emerging issues in a sustainable way and with a measure of improving the quality of life of the local populations is a considerable challenge. The last chapter in Part III, ‘‘Sustainable Tourism in the 21st Century: Lessons from the Past, Challenges to Address’’, by the editors is an excellent critique of where research has been and where it needs to go in the future. It is a stand-alone chapter in that it provides by a comprehensive look at the theme—emerging issues—of Part III. In fact, Tourism, Recreation and Sustainability would have been greatly improved if the last chapter had been a lengthier discussion of these important topics instead of the limited nine-page presentation. Tourism, Recreation, and Sustainability succeeds in its aim to discuss the wide ranging issues in sustainable tourism and in addressing the critical role of sustaining cultures and environments for future generations. It does not hide the pitfalls along the path to sustainable tourism; in fact, it takes them head-on in the discussion. It fully recognizes that many of the decisions rest entirely with the policy-makers and may include a strong need for public will or moral suasion by the local populations to preserve the best of the community while, at the same time, reflecting on future opportunities for improvements. Policy-makers, community stakeholders, researchers, students, and developers need to partner in an effort to sustain tourism destinations and communities into the future. This book will be a helpful tool for all those concerned with tourism sustainability, whether it is in the classroom or on-site at the destination. This anthology presents the magnitude of sustainable tourism interests with a refreshing look. For tourism practitioners, this book may throw new light on aspects of tourism development. In addition, there are important contributions for students and professors, particularly in reference to the book’s depth and coverage. This book would be an excellent supplemental resource for graduate-level courses. In summary, there are now many books in print or in the process of development about sustainable tourism. However, Tourism, Recreation, and Sustainability provides important information and new insights into the understanding of the theory, concepts, and practicality of sustainable tourism. It is a must-read publication and should be on the bookshelves of anyone interested in sustainable tourism. David L. Edgell Sr.: Department of Hospitality Management, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA 27858. Email