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Martha Honey's experience as an investigative reporter serves her well in this exploration of ecotourism. She asks probing questions that traditional travel writers would not, and even describes why this type of journalism is so rare in the travel industry. (Because travel writers are usually the guests of the hotels and agencies they are reviewing, and they are afraid to bite the hands that feed them.). The reader learns about the "greenwashing" that some segments of the travel industry use to mislead travelers with the best intentions, for example the Green Globe awards in which companies can "earn" a green globe award just for signing up with the program and paying the $200 fee! But Honey is not completely unconvinced that true ecotourism can exist. In her seven chapters on individual receptor countries, she describes ecotourism projects that were designed by conservationists with conservation rather than personal profit as a motive. This book provides quantitative and qualitative information, and its fluid prose is a pleasure to read. The book is useful for both the lay traveler and those in the travel industry striving to offer responsible ecotourism opportunities.

The release of Martha Honey's book investigating ecotourism marks the end of a 10-year era of gestation and growth in the field. Honey, who began research on the book in the early 1990s, does genuine investigative journalism on the many issues haunting the ecotourism field, from its definition to its sustainability, and provides honest assessments. This book offers the most detailed overview of the evolution of the ecotourism field available today. Highly recommended for ecotourism professionals, foundation officers, bank and multilateral investment specialists and others deeply involved in applying ecotourism as a sustainable development tool, this book is an advanced analysis. In the academic world, it will provide invaluable background information for all students performing research on the issues of ecotourism and sustainable development. Ecotourism and Sustainable Development gives context and history, but it does not offer applied solutions. On a philosophical note, Honey states that ecotourism should be "transforming the way modern, conventional tourism is conducted." This is a point of healthy debate within the field, but not a universally accepted goal. Ecotourism's role as a political instrument of change on the international scene is not its strong point, as Honey points out. But should this be the measure by which the ecotourism field is judged? Honey's book offers a wide variety of fascinating points for debate, and provides an excellent baseline of discussion for all those involved in the development of the ecotourism field. However, less sophisticated readers should be warned that Honey's assumptions need to be carefully debated, not simply accepted.

Megan Epler Wood, President, The Ecotourism Society.

Disappointing tome with numerous factual mistakes and a lack of understanding of those the author is interviewing. The book is far too dependent on paper sources and fairly clueless on the ground.