An advanced treatment of ecologically sustainable tourism development focussing particularly on ecotourism and the environment and the link with management of protected areas. Topics include the origins and conceptual background to this culturally and environmentally responsible form of nature tourism; its potential contribution to the promotion of environmental understanding and conservation and its impacts and their management. The subject includes a substantial fieldwork component and develops practical experience in the interpretation of a wide range of natural and cultural attractions. The subject takes an international perspective but there will be a strong focus on tourism to protected areas in Australia. Special emphasis will be placed on tourism to World Heritage Areas including North Queensland environments such as the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics rainforests.