Tourism and Development in the Himalaya by Nyaupane, Gyan P.; Timothy, Dallen J.;

Short description:

This book examines the unique characteristics of the Himalaya that mark them as a special region among other orographic regions of the world. The Himalayan range is an important global asset for ecological, climatic, cultural, spiritual, and economic reasons.

Long description:

This book examines the unique characteristics of the Himalaya that mark them as a special region among other orographic regions of the world. The Himalayan range is an important global asset for ecological, climatic, cultural, spiritual, and economic reasons. Its diversity of landscapes, climates, and biotic systems makes the Himalaya an extremely attractive region for tourism. The book examines tourism and development in the Himalaya region, exploring its sociocultural, environmental, and economic dimensions.

The contributors address Himalayan issues from a holistic perspective, emphasizing the uniqueness of the region, together with concerns it shares with other montane, developing parts of the world. With a framework of sustainable development, this book elucidates interdisciplinary perspectives on nature, society, economic development, poverty, justice, health, social and environmental vulnerability, faith and culture, Indigenous rights, women, conflict, heritage and living culture, and many other concepts that broaden our understanding of tourism and development in mountain areas. Many contributors are from the Himalaya region, or have worked there extensively, lending strength through native and insider perspectives.

This work will be useful for advanced undergraduate and graduate students, research and teaching scholars, policy makers, practitioners, and anyone interested in the Himalaya and their distinctive tourism and development-related potential and challenges.

Table of Contents:

Part 1: Background and Contextual Setting  Chapter 1: Introduction: Tourism and Development in the Himalaya  Chapter 2: The Himalaya: Physiographic and Cultural Perspectives  Part 2: Tourism Issues and Challenges in the Himalayan Region  Chapter 3: Himalayan Vulnerabilities and Resilience: Climate Change and Natural Disasters, Shifting Physical Landscapes, and Development  Chapter 4: Conservation and Restoration of Alpine Ecosystems in the Himalaya: New Challenges for Adventure Tourism in the 21st Century  Chapter 5: High-Altitude Medical Conditions Among Travelers in the Himalaya Mountains  Chapter 6: Geopolitics in the Himalaya: Territorial Conflict, Political Instability, Uprisings, and Tourism  Chapter 7: Moral Geographies, Porters and Social Exclusion in Trekking Tourism in the Himalayan Region  Part 3: Forms of Tourism in the Himalaya  Chapter 8: Tourism for Development in the Himalaya: Using Ecotourism to Improve Livelihoods  Chapter 9: Tourism and Himalayan Indigenous Communities  Chapter 10: Volunteer Tourism, Poverty, and People on the Margins: Altruism, Ego-enhancement, and Voyeurism in the Himalaya  Chapter 11: Pilgrimage Tourism and Sacred Places in the Himalaya  Chapter 12: Expanding the Boundaries of Local Cuisine: The Context of Himalayan Community-Based Homestays  Chapter 13: Tea Heritage and Tourism as Sustainable Development in the Eastern Himalaya  Part 4: Potential Solutions  Chapter 14: Corporate Social Responsibility for Sustainable Mountain Tourism in the Himalayan Region  Chapter 15: Social Enterprises and Sustainable Development Through Tourism in the Himalaya  Chapter 16: Heritage Tourism and Sustainable Development: Prospects for a Cultural Landscapes Framework  Chapter 17: Conclusion: The Experience of Himalayan Tourism