Tourism is a critical and cutting-edge introduction to the major issues surrounding the production and consumption of tourism and its associated effects for the 21st century. Tourism is presented as one of the key social science disciplines by which contemporary human mobility can be understood.

Issues are examined in terms of some of the key concepts of contemporary social and environmental studies, such as globalisation, localisation, identity, security and global environmental change, as well as utilising the concept of mobility to provide a coherent framework for analysing the development, nature and issues surrounding this worldwide industry that is integral to many government?s regional development strategies.

Tourism helps provide an understanding of the contemporary forces shaping tourism and its study in a manner that connects the field to broader policy and scientific debate that is approachable by students of tourism at all levels.