An overview of tourism, trade and globalisation and its impacts on biodiversity is presented in four parts. The first part interrogates the assumptions, myths and realities of globalisation. The second explores the trends in conservation ideology and its implications. The third examines how tourism - which is emblematic of globalisation - plays its part in this drama - the implication of its overt and covert agendas on biodiversity and people's rights. The final part raises some of the dilemmas, questions and challenges for conservation researchers, policy makers, global institutions, civil society and the industry.