Today, tourism is the largest economics sector globally in terms of earnings, and also in terms of number of people employed. These two factors themselves make the topic of travel, tourism and ecotourism that significant.

Present age is one of sustainable tourism and ecotourism. They are such industries which attempt to make a low impact on the environment and local culture while helping to generate income, employment and the conservation of local eco-systems. They together refer to a broad range of recreational and leisure activities in context of a natural environment. This encyclopaedia discusses travel, tourism and ecotourism within the context of extrinsic and intrinsic values, environmental attitudes, social motives, demographic, economics, cultural and environmental impacts, travel profile development, business cycle, management issues, planning strategies, and market opportunities. The aim of this publication is to cultivate in long run a kind of responsible tourism which is both ecologically and culturally sensitive.

A multi-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary approach has been followed to compile this encyclopaedia giving priority to the interests of its readers and professional users.