Abstract

Tourism: the good, the bad and the ugly. Often hailed as a smokeless industry, international travel grew to unprecedented levels pre-pandemic. Unchecked development and overtourism led to negative consequences for residents and impacted cultural and natural resources. As tourism rebounds, it’s important to acknowledge the ways in which the pandemic gave us an opportunity to envision a sustainable industry. This book discusses international tourism and the ways in which it brings us together. Contributions from expert authors around the world highlight both current issues in tourism, as well as ways it can be developed more ethically and equitably; ultimately increasing the well-being of the planet and people. Creating spaces for encounters, protecting natural resources, volunteering ethically, traveling to discover one’s ethnic roots, vernacular design, cultural tourism and community involvement are all part of this meaningful discourse as we envision a resilient and beneficial tourism industry.