ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that one cannot fully understand the complexity of issues taking place in ecotourism without a broader discussion on development, governance and policy. After a brief discussion on indicators of development and development in less developed countries (LDCs), the chapter focuses on some of the new research emerging on environmental governance – both from ecotourism and from outside the fi eld. The chapter surveys much of this literature in the context of Glasbergen’s (1998) organisational framework of different environmental governance approaches. Effort is made to fi t different tourism themes and case studies into this framework, including emphasis on partnerships, community development and social capital. Cooperation emerges as a key theme in this discussion, especially in how it exists as a fundamental component of these various interactive mechanisms. Policy actions are increasingly required to ensure that ecotourism development is consistent with the needs of local people and the environment. The chapter identifi es the range of actors who ought to be involved in ecotourism policy development, and it presents a policy framework that encompasses a broad spectrum of issues and elements related to the proper implementation of ecotourism.
