ABSTRACT
The rapid introduction of tourism facilities (e.g. hotels, airstrips and roads), often without appropriate environmental safeguards, is cause for concern. In order to minimise the environmental impact of tourism, attention needs to be paid to the design of buildings and the use of appropriate materials, as well as their energy needs in relation to the carrying capacity of the local economy, and to the investment in appropriate infrastructure such as sewerage disposal facilities and the availability of water supplies. But when safeguards are not forthcoming, or are ignored for various reasons, the environment may deteriorate to such an extent that disgruntled tourists - and equally unhappy tour operators - may put pressure on the local authorities for access to comparatively 'unspoilt' destinations. Long-term environmental degradation is a serious concern, but in practical and especially financial terms, it is hard to evaluate. Merely decrying the events and placing an infinite value on environmental resources is unlikely to lead to workable solutions (Archer, 1996: 11). Clearly there is a need for hard environmental data, but with regard to South-East Asia the picture is very far from complete. This chapter provides a preliminary discussion of park-based eco-tourism with a view to stimulating more academic debate and further research.
