Publisher's Synopsis
Throughout the countryside of the developed world, communities, planners, and politicians are hoping to solve their economic, employment and servicing problems by stimulating the growth of tourism. But tourism is complex and competitive, needing sophisticated skills in planning, marketing, and delivery. It also brings a range of economic, environmental and social problems in its wake. This book examines both the theory and practice of rural tourism. Written by leading European practitioners and thinkers in the field, it outlines how to both conceptualise and implement rural tourism in a sustainable way. A range of case studies illustrates techniques which have been employed to help rural areas develop tourism without tears. Topics covered include: definitions and systems; tourism and sustainable rural development; marketing and promotion; the role of local development groups; cultural sustainability; and tourism strategy writing. Area studies cover rural regions in Austria, England, France, Ireland and Sweden. The book, based in an international summer school on rural tourism development held in University College Galway in Ireland, will interest a wide range of readers, including those involved in tourism research and teaching, tourism professionals and rural development planners, together with students reading tourism, economics, geography, planning and sociology.
