The Moralisation of Tourism: Sun, Sand... and Saving the World? (Routledge Contemporary Geographies of Leisure, Tourism & Mobility)

Tourism is no longer an innocent pleasure. It has been interpreted and reinterpreted as an activity which is ultimately damaging to receiving cultures and the environment. 'New' forms of tourism, such as ecotourism, alternative tourism, community tourism and ethical tourism, have been presented as morally superior alternatives to the package holiday, yet ironically, even advocates of these new, ethical tourism brands are increasingly subject to criticisms, not dissimilar to those they themselves level against package holidays. Using a host of international examples from the industry, the media and non-governmental organisations, this intriguing book examines what the advocates of 'new tourism' see as being wrong with mass tourism, looks critically at the claims made for the new alternatives and makes a case for guilt-free holidays. The only book on the market to provide a sustained critique of conventional mass tourism’s own critics, Butcher offers a counterpoint to the moral rhetoric steadily turning travellers into guilty tourists. "The Moralisation of Tourism puts today's critique of tourism in historical context, and outlines a distinctly moral conception of modern tourism, identifying a New Moral Tourist', by drawing on a range of contemporary examples. It is a wide-ranging critique, looking at both the effect the New Moral Tourism has on the holidaymaker, and the effect it has on the host societies in terms of development opportunities. Travel that is non-intrusive' and low impact' is seen as a way of reconnecting with nature and rediscovering lost truths. However, not only does this deference to the destination create new barriers between people - people who are defined by their differences rather than what they have in common - but it also has a negative impact in the field of development." The Moralisation of Tourism critiques a number of assumptions that are rarely challenged - that the package tourism boom has been destructive and that nature-based tourism is somehow 'ethical'. It argues that eco-friendly and culturally concerned tourism is based on the false premises of environmental and cultural fragility, and of a surfeit of individual freedom for tourists. Using a host of international examples from the industry, the media and non-governmental organisations, Jim Butcher examines what the advocates of new tourism' see as being wrong with Mass Tourism, looks critically at the claims made for the new alternatives and makes a case for guilt-free holidays. However, Not Only Does This Deference To The Destination Create New Barriers Between People - People Who Are Defined By Their Differences Rather Than What They Have In Common - But It Also Has A Negative Impact In The Field Of Development. The Moralisation Of Tourism Critiques A Number Of Assumptions That Are Rarely Challenged - That The Package Tourism Boom Has Been Destructive And That Nature-based Tourism Is Somehow 'ethical'. It Argues That Eco-friendly And Culturally Concerned Tourism Is Based On The False Premises Of Environmental And Cultural Fragility, And Of A Surfeit Of Individual Freedom For Tourists. Using A Host Of International Examples From The Industry, The Media And Non-governmental Organisations, Jim Butcher Examines What The Advocates Of ǹew Tourism' See As Being Wrong With Mass Tourism, Looks Critically At The Claims Made For The New Alternatives And Makes A Case For Guilt-free Holidays.--jacket. 1. Mass Tourism And The New Moral Tourist -- 2. What's New? Traveller, Tourist And The Moral Debate -- 3. The Host: Fragile Places, Fragile People? -- 4. Tourists: Too Much Freedom? -- 5. The Cultural Sensibilities Of The New Moral Tourist -- 6. Travelling For A Change: Global Culture And The Ethical Tourist -- 7. New Moral Tourism, The Third World And Development -- Postscript: Re-presenting Tourism. Jim Butcher. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [155]-160) And Index. Annotation Tourism is no longer an innocent pleasure. It has been interpreted and reinterpreted as an activity which is ultimately damaging to receiving cultures and the environment. 'New' forms of tourism, such as ecotourism, alternative tourism, community tourism and ethical tourism, have been presented as morally superior alternatives to the package holiday, yet ironically, even advocates of these new, ethical tourism brands are increasingly subject to criticisms, not dissimilar to those they themselves level against package holidays.Using a host of international examples from the industry, the media and non-governmental organisations, this intriguing book examines what the advocates of 'new tourism' see as being wrong with mass tourism, looks critically at the claims made for the new alternatives and makes a case for guilt-free holidays.The only book on the market to provide a sustained critique of conventional mass tourisms own critics, Butcher offers a counterpoint to the moral rhetoric steadily turning travellers into guilty tourists "The Moralisation of Tourism puts today's critique of tourism in historical context, and outlines a distinctly moral conception of modern tourism, identifying a Ǹew Moral Tourist', by drawing on a range of contemporary examples. It is a wide-ranging critique, looking at both the effect the New Moral Tourism has on the holidaymaker, and the effect it has on the host societies in terms of development opportunities. Travel that is ǹon-intrusive' and l̀ow impact' is seen as a way of reconnecting with nature and rediscovering lost truths. However, not only does this deference to the destination create new barriers between people - people who are defined by their differences rather than what they have in common - but it also has a negative impact in the field of development." Book Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 4 Copyright......Page 5 Contents......Page 8 1 Mass Tourism and the New Moral Tourist......Page 16 2 What’s new Traveller tourist and the moral debate......Page 44 3 The host fragile places fragile people......Page 62 4 Tourists too much freedom......Page 74 5 The cultural sensibilities of the New Moral Tourist......Page 88 6 Travelling for a change global culture and the ethical tourist......Page 108 7 New Moral Tourism the Third World and development......Page 124 Postscript re presenting tourism......Page 150 Notes......Page 154 Select bibliography......Page 166 Index......Page 172