Ecotourism in Appalachia

de Albert J. Fritsch, Kristin Johannsen

"Ecotourism in Appalachia proposes that tourism can help revive the economy and preserve the environment in the Appalachian region only when local communities control development and local governments regulate the business practices of the industry. Otherwise, the risks associated with a heavy tourism presence, even that marketed as responsible and sustainable "ecotourism," will continue to outweigh the benefits for Appalachian communities. Unless communities shape the future of tourism themselves, environmental damage, loss of traditional culture, low-paying service-oriented job markets, and massive migration out of the region will actually weaken local economies and continue patterns of the exploitation of Appalachia's resources for the economic benefit of outsiders."--Jacket.