Ecotourism may, in some cases, have a negative impact on the future of rural communities in developing countries, according to Dr Jim Butcher from Canterbury Christ Church University. In his new book, 'Ecotourism, Non-Governmental Organisations and Development', Dr Butcher takes a critical look at the role of ecotourism in the developing world. Ecotourism is a form of tourism which aims to be ecologically and Socially conscious. It looks to minimize the adverse effects that traditional Tourism can have on the environment and enhance the cultural integrity of local people. Dr Butcher argues that ecotourism's 'nature first' policy may, in some cases, hamper rural communities' attempts to be liberated from poverty because, he says, it limits their prospects of sustainable development. Dr Butcher, who works within the University's Department of Sports Science, Tourism and Leisure, said: "Ecotourism has been widely promoted by a range of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as one of the best ways of ensuring sustainable development in the rural development world. This book looks at the way in which these NGOs advocate ecotourism and critically evaluates their methods. It argues that ecotourism tends to prioritise environmental conservation at the expense of the development prospects for third world communities." Dr Butcher's new book, which has been published by Routledge, is Already receiving critical acclaim. Professor Kevin Hannam, Head of Tourism from the University of Sunderland, said: "This is an excellent trenchant critique which makes us re-think the concept of ecotourism from its first principles." Director of WORLDwrite, Ceri Dingle, said: "Beyond its clarity of methodology and vital contribution to academic discourse, the case studies in this book provide phenomenal insights. To do justice to the aspirations of our peers in the developing world the truths in this inimitable work must be taken onboard and acted upon." |