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society �see postmodernism) that the resourcist
paradigm continues to guide decision making
even as the new ecological one grows in influence.
Further reading
Gauthier, D.A. �1993), `Sustainable development,
tourism and wildlife', in J.G. Nelson, R. Butler
and G. Wall �eds), Tourism and Sustainable Development:Monitoring,
Planning, Managing, Department
of Geography Publication Series Number
37, Waterloo, Ont.: University of Waterloo, 97±
109.
Koppes, C.R. �1988) `Efficiency, equity and
esthetics: shifting themes in American conservation',
in D. Worster �ed.), The Ends of the Earth:
Perspectives on Modern Environmental History, Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press, 230±51.
Rolston, H. �1986), `Values gone wild', Philosophy
Gone Wild:Essays in Environmental Ethics, Buffalo,
NY: Prometheus Books, 118±42.
responsible tourism
ROBERT J. PAYNE, CANADA
The demand for responsible tourism results from
more than twenty years of experience which has
demonstrated that mass tourism has many
negative effects on host communities. This is true
wherever it is located, but the impacts have been
particularly harsh in those places where there is a
great distortion in the distribution of resources
and power. In such communities, local people do
not share the huge profits made from tourism, and
are normally worse off economically because of the
inflationary pressures of imported goods and
services as well as the consumerist mentality which
accompanies tourism. They are also disadvantaged
by the capital costs borne by their governments for
infrastructure and promotion at the expense of
both essential services and the alienation of land
and water from public use to touristic needs.
Cultural and religious practices are often
cheapened into attractions. Prostitution has
frequently developed, further eroding the spiritual
and moral basis of community life. Fragile coastal
areas, atolls and islands have been turned into
resort areas at great environmental cost. Resorts
and golf courses make heavy demands on scarce
water resources, requiring polluting pesticides.
Ecotourism, which has been hailed as a step
toward ecologically sustainable tourism, has
in many places degraded the very environment it is
promoted as preserving.
People privileged enough to travel, especially to
countries in the Third World, have a responsibility
to those who cannot go away yet must bear
the costs of tourism. Responsibility begins when
people make a choice to travel or not, and
continues when they decide how and where to
go. Responsibility entails minimising the negative
impacts by choosing to use local facilities, learning
appropriate cultural behaviour and being environmentally
sensitive. Tourists can seek positive
relationships with their hosts.
It should not be assumed that alternative
tourism forms are necessarily responsible. The
backpacking and adventure tourist often paves the
way for opening up new areas to mass markets,
leaves little economic return to the hosts, and is
insensitive to the culture. Responsible tourism
developers are those who, before they make their
investment, ensure that they are considerate of the
aspirations of host people and work in partnership
with them. Similarly, travel agents should
ensure that the products they sell do not undermine
the dignity and rights of local people. Travel
boycott by some tour developers of the repressive
government of Burma and the denunciation by the
World Tourism Organization of child prostitution
illustrate consideration of the powerless. The
Ecumenical Coalition on Third World Tourism
provides a code of ethics to guide sensitive
tourists.
restaurant
restaurant 507
PETER HOLDEN, THAILAND
A restaurant is typically defined as an establishment
or property where refreshments or meals are
served. There are many different types of restaurants
depending on the market served �mass,
family, up-scale and so on), concept or theme �such
as ethnic or dinner house) product range �type of