ABSTRACT
Upon completion of this chapter, the reader should be able to:
explain the three criteria that constitute an ecotourism product and show how the variance within these criteria gives rise to comprehensive and minimalist interpretations of ecotourism
differentiate the concepts of hard and soft ecotourism and demonstrate how this typology relates to the comprehensive/minimalist distinction and affects estimates of the magnitude of the ecotourism sector
assess the strengths and weaknesses of specialized components within the ecotourism industry
describe the spatial distribution of ecotourism both globally and within protected areas as well as modified spaces
assess the potential environmental costs and benefits of ecotourism and discuss how these vary within hard and soft ecotourism
explain the extent to which quality control and credibility within ecotourism are being positively and negatively affected by certification initiatives such as Australia’s EcoCertification Programme and
critically assess the importance of a comprehensive ecotourism model that incorporates soft as well as hard ecotourism dimensions.
