This is a vitally important book for academics, practitioners and policy makers. It eschews some of the formality of conventional academic publishing in order to strengthen and clarify the arguments about the concept of taking responsibility for tourism and its effects. The author uses his vast experience in this area to good effect, making a powerful argument about the ways in which we should manage and develop tourism and deal with this powerful force. Taking Responsibility for Tourism is about the globally vital necessity of realising sustainable tourism. It is a hugely important challenge to those who organise and sell travel and tourism, and those who consume it.

 It is not a book about a niche product as major trade associations and large and small tour operators are committing to the objectives of responsible tourism and shouldering their responsibilities. This powerful handbook is the most authoritative contemporary overview of the key issues that are critical for the progress of responsible tourism and is written by one of the leading thinkers and change-makers in the field. It applies the broader concept of responsibility to travel and tourism, and looks at how it relates to sustainable business and the business case for responsibility. Beginning with a discussion of responsibility and sustainability, the process by which it has become established in the industry is analysed from the key perspectives of responsible tourism in practice, socially and economically responsible tourism, environmental responsibility, ecotourism and conservation.

This text is for managers and professionals at all levels in the tourism business. It will also be essential for policy makers and others responsible for strategic thinking in the wide range of sectors that relate to travel and tourism, and it should be read by all serious students of tourism who need to understand where the industry they may want to join must go in the future.