Tourist travel has become part of the lifestyle of Western industrial society. For today?s travelers, recreation and curiosity, experiencing the world and gaining status have been the main motivations, whereas generating income or profit has been the focus of the more or less professional service providers who still style themselves 'hosts'. But the benefits of tourism also have their drawbacks ? not least for the local residents who do not participate in tourism but are affected by traffic, high prices in restaurants and housing. Another loser is unprotected nature, the environment, as tourism infrastructure eats up the landscape. As with any industry, there are downsides to a business where the sun always seems to shine. This book examines the many contradictions, in hopes of promoting more conscious, responsible forms of tourism.