This book examines the unique characteristics of the Himalaya that mark them as a special region among other orographic regions of the world. The Himalayan range is an important global asset for ecological, climatic, cultural, spiritual, and economic reasons.

Gyan P. Nyaupane is Professor of Community Resources and Development and Associate Dean of Research in the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions at Arizona State University.

Dallen J. Timothy is Professor of Community Resources and Development at Arizona State University and Visiting Professor at universities in China, Spain, and South Africa.

Part 1: Background and Contextual Setting Chapter 1: Introduction: Tourism and Development in the Himalaya Chapter 2: The Himalaya: Physiographic and Cultural Perspectives Part 2: Tourism Issues and Challenges in the Himalayan Region Chapter 3: Himalayan Vulnerabilities and Resilience: Climate Change and Natural Disasters, Shifting Physical Landscapes, and Development Chapter 4: Conservation and Restoration of Alpine Ecosystems in the Himalaya: New Challenges for Adventure Tourism in the 21st Century Chapter 5: High-Altitude Medical Conditions Among Travelers in the Himalaya Mountains Chapter 6: Geopolitics in the Himalaya: Territorial Conflict, Political Instability, Uprisings, and Tourism Chapter 7: Moral Geographies, Porters and Social Exclusion in Trekking Tourism in the Himalayan Region Part 3: Forms of Tourism in the Himalaya Chapter 8: Tourism for Development in the Himalaya: Using Ecotourism to Improve Livelihoods Chapter 9: Tourism and Himalayan Indigenous Communities Chapter 10: Volunteer Tourism, Poverty, and People on the Margins: Altruism, Ego-enhancement, and Voyeurism in the Himalaya Chapter 11: Pilgrimage Tourism and Sacred Places in the Himalaya Chapter 12: Expanding the Boundaries of Local Cuisine: The Context of Himalayan Community-Based Homestays Chapter 13: Tea Heritage and Tourism as Sustainable Development in the Eastern Himalaya Part 4: Potential Solutions Chapter 14: Corporate Social Responsibility for Sustainable Mountain Tourism in the Himalayan Region Chapter 15: Social Enterprises and Sustainable Development Through Tourism in the Himalaya Chapter 16: Heritage Tourism and Sustainable Development: Prospects for a Cultural Landscapes Framework Chapter 17: Conclusion: The Experience of Himalayan Tourism