Richard W. Butler

Richard W. Butler was a renowned British geographer and academic known for his work on tourism development and destination management. His research focused on how tourist destinations evolve, emphasizing sustainable practices and the social, economic, and environmental impacts of tourism. Butler is best known for the "Tourism Area Life Cycle" model, which describes the stages a tourist destination goes through, from discovery to decline or renewal. His contributions have greatly influenced tourism planning and policy, helping destinations better understand growth patterns and manage sustainable development.