Citation
Teare, R. (2010), "Introduction", Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, Vol. 2 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/whatt.2010.40802baa.001
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2010, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Introduction
Article Type: Editorial From: Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, Volume 2, Issue 2
Entitled “Does sustainable tourism offer solutions for the protection of the Amazon rainforest?” this Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes (WHATT) theme issue is one of the key outcomes of an array of activities organized by the ACTO to coincide with Destination Amazonia Year 2009. The theme issue itself is the product of a two-stage process. In each of the seven Amazon member countries – Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru and Suriname – teams comprising representatives from government, private sector and academia collaborated to produce a paper on the ways in which tourism influences rainforest conservation in their particular country. Each paper was then used as the basis for presentations and discussion at a special WHATT roundtable held in Brazil in May 2009.
In the light of the ongoing global debate about sustainable tourism, climate change protection of rainforests and bio-diversity, this theme issue with its exclusive focus on tourism in the Amazon is a timely and informative discussion that highlights and analyzes the prospects, successes and challenges that confront tourism in the Amazon as a solution for the protection of the rainforest. Academics, researchers, tourism managers, tourism planners and administrators will find the information and insights in this theme issue not only an invaluable addition to their knowledge about tourism, but also a useful tool that will guide them through the sometimes uncertain and complex paths of developing sustainable tourism. I should like to thank Donald Sinclair and Chandi Jayawardena and the team of contributors for an outstanding contribution to our understanding of this unique environment and the actions needed to preserve the Amazon for future generations.
Richard TeareManaging Editor, WHATT