Tourism and Development in the Himalaya

This book examines the unique characteristics of the Himalaya that mark them as a special region among other orographic regions of the world. The Himalayan range is an important global asset for ecological, climatic, cultural, spiritual, and economic reasons. Its diversity of landscapes, climates, and biotic systems makes the Himalaya an extremely attractive region for tourism. The book examines tourism and development in the Himalaya region, exploring its sociocultural, environmental, and economic dimensions. The contributors address Himalayan issues from a holistic perspective, emphasizing the uniqueness of the region, together with concerns it shares with other montane, developing parts of the world. With a framework of sustainable development, this book elucidates interdisciplinary perspectives on nature, society, economic development, poverty, justice, health, social and environmental vulnerability, faith and culture, Indigenous rights, women, conflict, heritage and living culture, and many other concepts that broaden our understanding of tourism and development in mountain areas. Many contributors are from the Himalaya region, or have worked there extensively, lending strength through native and insider perspectives. This work will be useful for advanced undergraduate and graduate students, research and teaching scholars, policy makers, practitioners, and anyone interested in the Himalaya and their distinctive tourism and development-related potential and challenges.

Gyan P. Nyaupane is Professor of Community Resources and Development and Associate Dean of Research in the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions at Arizona State University. Dallen J. Timothy is Professor of Community Resources and Development at Arizona State University and Visiting Professor at universities in China, Spain, and South Africa.

Part 1: Background and Contextual Setting Chapter 1: Introduction: Tourism and Development in the Himalaya Chapter 2: The Himalaya: Physiographic and Cultural Perspectives Part 2: Tourism Issues and Challenges in the Himalayan Region Chapter 3: Himalayan Vulnerabilities and Resilience: Climate Change and Natural Disasters, Shifting Physical Landscapes, and Development Chapter 4: Conservation and Restoration of Alpine Ecosystems in the Himalaya: New Challenges for Adventure Tourism in the 21st Century Chapter 5: High-Altitude Medical Conditions Among Travelers in the Himalaya Mountains Chapter 6: Geopolitics in the Himalaya: Territorial Conflict, Political Instability, Uprisings, and Tourism Chapter 7: Moral Geographies, Porters and Social Exclusion in Trekking Tourism in the Himalayan Region Part 3: Forms of Tourism in the Himalaya Chapter 8: Tourism for Development in the Himalaya: Using Ecotourism to Improve Livelihoods Chapter 9: Tourism and Himalayan Indigenous Communities Chapter 10: Volunteer Tourism, Poverty, and People on the Margins: Altruism, Ego-enhancement, and Voyeurism in the Himalaya Chapter 11: Pilgrimage Tourism and Sacred Places in the Himalaya Chapter 12: Expanding the Boundaries of Local Cuisine: The Context of Himalayan Community-Based Homestays Chapter 13: Tea Heritage and Tourism as Sustainable Development in the Eastern Himalaya Part 4: Potential Solutions Chapter 14: Corporate Social Responsibility for Sustainable Mountain Tourism in the Himalayan Region Chapter 15: Social Enterprises and Sustainable Development Through Tourism in the Himalaya Chapter 16: Heritage Tourism and Sustainable Development: Prospects for a Cultural Landscapes Framework Chapter 17: Conclusion: The Experience of Himalayan Tourism