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`alternative' philosophy can be expressed in such
terms as ecological preservation of energy and
water, the recycling of used water and waste,
subsidised transport and accommodation to encourage
a wide clientele, training and employment
of specialised guides for environmental
exploration, and the like.
Finally, the uniqueness of alternative tourism lies
in the nature and quality of the relationship it has
with the local environment. The term should be
reserved for progressive developments which are
planned, controlled and expanded by the local
community, and which, in fair partnership
with future developers, will remain respectful of
natural and human ecosystems and economical in
their use of essential resources. In this way,
alternative tourism embraces the principles of
lasting and sustainable development and its
principle commercial manifestation, ecotourism.
Further reading
Cazes, G. �1989) Àlternative tourism: reflections on
an ambiguous concept', Towards Appropriate Tourism:The
Case of Developing Countries, London: Peter
Lang, 117±26.
Cohen, E. �1989) Àlternative tourism: a critique',
in H.L. Theuns and F.M. Ter Ver Singh �eds),
Towards Appropriate Tourism:The Case of Developing
Countries, London: Peter Lang, 127±42.
Lanfant, M.F., Allcock, J.B. and Brunner, E. �1995)
International Tourism:Identity and Change, London:
Sage.
Pearce, D. �1989) Tourist Development, London and
New York: Longman.
Theuns, H.L. and Ter Vir Singh, F.M. �1989)
Towards Appropriate Tourism:The Case of Developing
Countries, London: Peter Lang.
amenity, user-oriented
GEORGES CAZES, FRANCE
Destinations located in proximity to population
concentrations are user-oriented. Providers of
tourism goods and services attempt to maximise
the delivery of leisure amenities by positioning their
facilities at accessible locations within short dis-
American Society of Travel Agents 21
tances or travel times of potential markets. Hotels
and motels, and restaurants and entertainment
venues in resorts strive to minimise travel costs.
LISLE S. MITCHELL, USA
American Hotel and Motel
Association
The American Hotel and Motel Association
�AHMA) is a trade association representing the
$72 billion lodging industry in the United States.
It was founded in Chicago in 1910. It is a
federation of hotel and motel associations with
headquarters in Washington DC, with associations
in all fifty states, the District of Columbia, Puerto
Rico and the US Virgin Islands.
AHMA represents over 10,000 individual hotels,
motels, resorts, comprising 1.4 million transient
rooms. Membership is also open to professional
and academic personnel. The association has over
forty committees that provide leadership and
guidance in developing programmes and activities
to its members. Members receive Register �the
official newsletter), unlimited access to the AHMA
information centre, Lodging magazine and other
services. The association organises conventions and
workshops across the United States.
The American Hotel Association Directory
Corporation, a subsidiary of AHMA, publishes
Lodging and the Directory of Hotel and Motel Companies.
Its Educational Institute, another subsidiary, supports
educational and institutional research for the
lodging industry. Founded in 1952 as a non-profit
educational foundation, it is the largest source of
quality training and educational materials for the
industry.
MARYAM KHAN, USA
American Society of Travel
Agents
An increase in demand for accessibility to
destinations throughout the world has forced
travel-related businesses to overcome or remove
barriers to tourism. One such barrier is