The book focuses on economic, social and ecological inconsistencies that plague ecotourism in theory and practice, and examines it in reference to related forms of tourism, impacts, conservation, sustainability, education and interpretation, policy and governance, and ethics.

David A. Fennell is a Professor in the Department of Geography and Tourism Studies at Brock University in Ontario, Canada. His previous books include Sustainable Tourism: Principles, Contexts and Practices, Tourism and Animal Ethics, Tourism Ethics and Ecotourism Programme Planning. David is also the founding Editor in Chief of the Journal of Ecotourism.

Part I: The essence of ecotourism 1. The nature of ecotourism 2. The ecotourist Part II: Core criteria used to define ecotourism 3 Nature-based 4. Sustainability 1: local participation and benefits 5. Sustainability 2: parks and conservation 6. Learning 7. The moral imperative Part III: Topics and issues important to ecotourism 8. Socio-cultural and ecological impacts of ecotourism 9. Economic impacts and marketing of ecotourism 10. Development, governance and policy 11. Programme planning 12. Conclusion