Tourism development: growth, myths and inequalities

As a tool for poverty reduction and means of linking environmental stewardship with wider aspects of socio-cultural development, tourism has made a significant contribution to international development. However, as an important economic sector for most countries and regions, wider questions of politics, power, identity, inequality and growth within the tourism industry need to be better understood. Making the first substantial empirical contribution to the understanding of tourism as a development mechanism in poor regions and countries, this book takes an in-depth look at the successes and paradoxes of tourism in these roles and considers why tourism as a catalyst for economic development can be a controversial device. Chapters cover topics such as global and local conflicts in tourism, economic exploitation of the exotic, gender equality and participation as well as tourism and development methodologies. Offering a wide perspective on theoretical frameworks and using international case studies, this book will be relevant to both tourism practitioners and academics.