Sustainable tourism on a finite planet : environmental, business and policy solutions / Megan Epler Wood

Includes bibliographical references and index.

The challenge of sustainably managing tourism on a finite planet -- Managing a spider web : the tourism industry supply chains & sustainability -- Economic development of tourism in emerging economies -- Hotels : the backbone of the tourism industry -- I'll fly away : airlines, airports and the global circulation of travelers -- Tour operators : exporting and importing customers worldwide -- The cruise industry : empire of the seas -- The Zeigeist of sport and tourism -- Destinations : the heart of the tourism sustainability -- Conclusions : the future of sustainable tourism.

Sustainable Tourism on a Finite Planet" challenges readers to consider the new skills, tools and investments required to protect irreplaceable global resources from the impacts of escalating tourism demand in the next 50 years. This volume documents how technology is driving a travel revolution and propelling the growing global middle class to take leisure trips at unprecedented rates. Travel and tourism supply chains and business models for hotels, tour operators, cruise lines, airlines and airports are described with key environmental management techniques for each sector. This book recommends that decision makers assess the current and future value of natural, social and cultural capital to guide investment in destinations and protect vital resources. Case studies illustrate why budgets to protect local destinations are consistently underestimated and offer guidance on new metrics. Innovative approaches are proposed to support the transition to green infrastructure, protect incomparable landscapes, and engage local people in the monitoring of vital indicators to protect local resources.