Bursting the bubble: the socio-cultural context of ecotourism

Carrier, J.G. and MacLeod, D.V. (2005) Bursting the bubble: the socio-cultural context of ecotourism. Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute, 11(2), pp. 315-334. (doi: 10.1111/j.1467-9655.2005.00238.x)

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Abstract

Ecotourism is a form of tourism that is highly visible and growing rapidly. It is commonly presented and understood as very different from conventional mass tourism because it is especially responsible, and even beneficial, environmentally and socio-culturally. However, such a view may be inaccurate. The favourable image of ecotourism is a consequence of viewing it in an ecotourist bubble, analogous to the idea of the tourist bubble. Within this ecotourist bubble, the destinations and experiences sold to tourists are abstracted from their contexts, thus inducing a distorted image of them and of ecotourism itself. Aspects of what the bubble excludes are illustrated through a consideration of two destinations in the Caribbean.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:MacLeod, Dr Donald
Authors: Carrier, J.G., and MacLeod, D.V.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > School of Social & Environmental Sustainability
Journal Name:Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute
Journal Abbr.:JRAI
ISSN:1359-0987
ISSN (Online):1467-9655
Published Online:10 May 2005

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