Tourism and the environment - A social movements perspective

This paper provides evidence on local environmental mobilizations against tourism activities in Greece, Spain, and Portugal from the early 70s to the mid 90s. Its ultimate aim is to introduce to the sociology of tourism and environment a social movements approach. The paper focuses on active host community environmental groups and the groups they challenge. II. examines these groups' approaches and actions and the impact on tourism, local ecosystems, and sustainable development. The paper further highlights the determining factors of such conflicts and their deeper implications concerning socio-environmental aspects of Southern European societies. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.