The purpose of Global Tourism is to allow readers to examine critical issues and problems facing the tourism industry. Using the perspective and expertise of twenty nine contributors, Global Tourism draws together current thinking and practice, presenting arguments in a structured framework. The problems are complex and interwoven and they suggest a variety of crises that may be brought about or exacerbated by tourism development such as: overcrowding of tourist attractions, resident-host conflicts, overuse and destruction of natural resources, loss of cultural heritage, increased crime and prostitution, inflation and escalating land costs and political, sociocultural and economic problems. The main outstanding features of Global Tourism are the presentation and analysis of: the philosophical and directional difficulties which face the tourism industry, the essential issues of raison d'etre, the importance of social issues and ills on current and future tourism practice, the basic forces that are shaping society, the questions generated about the purpose of tourism. Draws together current thinking and practice in the tourism industry Presents arguments in a structured framework Worldwide range of contributors