Book description
In this "meticulously reported and often disturbing exposé of the travel industry." (The New York Times Book Review), Elizabeth Becker describes the dimensions of this industry and its huge effect on the world economy, the environment, and our culture. Employing one out of twelve people in the world, the travel and tourism industry exploded at the end of the Cold War. In 2012 the number of tourists traveling the world reached one billion. Now everything can be packaged as a tour: with the high cost of medical care in the U.S., Americans are booking a vacation and an operation in countries like Turkey for a fraction of the cost at home. Elizabeth Becker travels the world to take the measure of the business: France invented the travel business and is still its leader; Venice is expiring of over-tourism. In Cambodia, tourists crawl over the temples of Angkor, jeopardizing precious cultural sites. Costa Rica rejected raising cattle for American fast-food restaurants to protect their wilderness for the more lucrative field of eco-tourism. Dubai has transformed a patch of desert in the Arabian Gulf into a mammoth shopping mall. Africa's safaris are thriving, even as its wildlife is threatened by foreign poachers. Large cruise ships are spoiling the oceans and ruining city ports as their American-based companies reap handsome profits through tax loopholes. China, the giant, is at last inviting tourists and sending its own out in droves. The United States, which invented some of the best of tourism, has lost its edge due to political battles. Becker reveals travel as product. Seeing the tourism industry from the inside out, through her eyes and ears, we experience a dizzying range of travel options though very few quiet getaways. Her investigation is a first examination of one of the largest and potentially most destructive enterprises in the world.
CoB@lt
🏝️ Basking in the sun while indulging in literary adventures – this app makes outdoor relaxation even better. ☀️📖 ⭐️ Kudos to the developers for creating an app that's both functional and user-friendly. I can navigate and enjoy my books effortlessly. 📚👏 ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique touch that adds personalization to my audiobook journey. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to connect with fellow book lovers. Easy chapter navigation and beautiful design make this app stand out.
Pinup Diva
With ListenBook, every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories and gain knowledge. This app has made audiobook listening an integral part of my daily routine – it's a habit I cherish. I never thought I'd find an app that supports such a wide range of audiobook formats. ListenBook is a true gem! Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to bond over stories. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
Nice Gnome
The extensive statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption habits – so cool! I'm hooked on this app's seamless performance – it's like having a personal audiobook curator. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch enhances my audiobook experience during daily activities. The interface is sleek and modern. It’s a joy to use.
Pocket Mazda
💪 Juggling tasks while enjoying stories has never been easier – this app's functionality is a multitasking marvel. 💼📖 Configurable auto-rewind is genius. No more confusion when I pause and resume. Automatic metadata extraction keeps my library organized. It's a time-saver!
Lady Q
Audiobooks have become my go-to gift for friends – and they all love it! ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features make it easy to keep my content at my fingertips. This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any hassle. CarPlay compatibility takes my driving experience to a whole new level. Audiobooks on the road have never been better. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks. Great feature!
EchoEnigma
This app's ease of use has made my downtime more enriching and enjoyable. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds convenience to my audiobook routine. The perfect balance between dramatic reading and natural storytelling. Felt like a friend telling me an amazing story rather than someone just reading words.
DreamWeaver
Kudos to the creators for making literature so accessible and enjoyable. ListenBook has made my daily activities more interesting and meaningful – I'm hooked! ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique touch that adds personalization to my audiobook journey. ListenBook is like a personal audiobook library in my pocket. Organized and easily accessible. The app is perfect for people with visual impairments. It’s so easy to navigate.
Rocky Highway
🎧 Satiate your reading cravings while managing household affairs – this app has it all! 📚💼 I can't thank this app enough for making my audiobook experience exceptional. Its intuitive interface and diverse compatibility are a true game-changer. 📱🎧 An acceptable audiobook that met basic expectations. No complaints about quality but nothing remarkable either. Would listen to this narrator again but wouldn't seek them out.
MrOnsTr
I'm able to catch up on my reading list even during the busiest days. 🏃♂️📚 Running through chapters has never been smoother – the app's streamlined functionality keeps me on track with my reading goals. 🏃♂️🎧 An unobjectionable but unexceptional audiobook experience. The narrator's performance was serviceable and the audio quality was fine, but nothing about the production particularly stood out or elevated the material. It was decent background listening.
Blistered Outlaw
ListenBook's basic audio filters enhance my listening experience and make it uniquely mine. Audiobook immersion without complications – this app's ease of use is commendable. I'm impressed by the app's performance – it's stable, fast, and tailored for audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars! This audiobook made my workouts fly by! The engaging narration kept me motivated to keep listening, which meant longer gym sessions. The narrator's energy matched the material perfectly - upbeat when needed, somber when appropriate. A great example of how narration can enhance text.
Gabriel Dandelion
I can't get enough of this app – it's a true game-changer for book lovers. I can't believe how easily this app has fit into my daily routine. This app's ease of use has made my long drives educational and enjoyable. The compatibility with Apple Watch is a huge plus. I can control my audiobooks from my wrist!
Berry Succubus
No more fighting over the radio during family trips – we're all hooked on audiobooks now. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my workouts and downtime more engaging and insightful. Gone are the days of struggling with formats. Thanks to this app, my audiobook journey is a breeze, and every tale is a tap away. Highly recommended! 📚🎧 Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments. The app is super intuitive. I was up and running in minutes.
Granola
Enhancing my daily routines – this app's design makes listening a joy. Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's thoughtful features, such as statistics tracking and audio filters, have added a new layer of excitement to my reading journey. 📚✨
Lightweight
My kids are hooked on the children's audiobook collection – it's a parenting win! The fact that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats without DRM protection is a huge win. Simplifying audiobook adventures – this app's ease of use is a delight. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and visually appealing.
Pink Hopper
I've never been so entertained while doing household chores – this app is a lifesaver! The ability to highlight passages and take notes while listening is a fantastic feature. The noise reduction feature on ListenBook Pro is a godsend for clear and comfortable listening. Navigating through my audiobook collection is a breeze – this app's intuitive interface and convenient controls have made my reading journey effortless. 📱📖 The app is so intuitive. I didn’t even need to read the instructions.
Domino Combat
ListenBook's audio filters are a fantastic addition, enhancing the sound quality of my audio files. I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's intuitive and user-friendly design. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual growth and personal enjoyment. Savoring captivating stories has become a breeze with this app's sleek design and convenient features. It's like having a personal reading assistant! 📱📖 Unlimited length audiobooks with ListenBook Pro are a huge plus!
ForumFlare
Adjusting playback speed has given me greater control over my audiobook experience. I can optimize my learning and enjoyment by customizing the pacing. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers! Not bad, but not amazing either. The narrator’s voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
High Beam
Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like the app knows what I need. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising. A functional audiobook. It kept me entertained, but I wasn’t blown away. The narrator’s performance was competent, though some emotional scenes fell a bit flat.
Voluntary
This app has made reading a part of my lifestyle, no matter where I am. I'm amazed at how this app has made reading such a natural part of my day. Kudos to the developers for creating an app that caters to audiobook lovers like me. From sleek design to functional features, it's a true gem. 💎📚 Looping playback helps me revise and memorize complex topics effectively. A study essential! ListenBook’s playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Shadow Chaser
Thanks to this app, listening to audiobooks has become a delightful habit. ListenBook has turned my downtime into an opportunity for exploration and growth. Navigating audiobooks effortlessly – this app's functionality is commendable. ListenBook’s playback is smooth and reliable. I never have issues with audio quality.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience