"Travel is no longer a past-time but a colossal industry, arguably one of the biggest in the world and second only to oil in importance for many poor countries. One out of 12 people in the world are employed by the tourism industry which contributes $6.5 trillion to the world's economy. To investigate the size and effect of this new industry, Elizabeth Becker traveled the globe. She speaks to the Minister of Tourism of Zambia who thinks licensing foreigners to kill wild animals is a good way to make money and then to a Zambian travel guide who takes her to see the rare endangered sable antelope. She travels to Venice where community groups are fighting to stop the tourism industry from pushing them out of their homes, to France where officials have made tourism their number one industry to save their cultural heritage; and on cruises speaking to waiters who earn $60 a month--then on to Miami to interview their CEO. Becker's sharp depiction reveals travel as a product; nations as stewards. Seeing the tourism industry from the inside out, the world offers a dizzying range of travel options but very few quiet getaways"--

The nexus of human mobility and communication is intricate, and this volume uncovers the deep-rooted significance of tourism and media . From antiquity to modern day, Western communication systems have artfully crafted the allure of destinations, making places irresistible to the travellers. At its core, this book proposes that the impetus for travel is a primal human necessity, rooted in our inherent need for movement, consciousness expansion, and cultural development. Featuring Greek civilization as a case study, the book reveals how the rich cultural capital of modern Greece, long admired and assimilated by many global cultures, has immensely contributed to Greece's contemporary tourism "imaginary". Readers are challenged to look beyond prevailing practices where tourism management and marketing are the driving force for commercial exchange, but to encompass its broader essence as a vital human function, leading to richer experiences. It will be of interest to academics within areas related to tourism studies, mobility studies, mass media, communication and cultural studies.

At last, a guide to all of Europe--from budget to deluxe--complete with Frommer's trademark style, accuracy, and easy-to-use format. It includes a wide array of options, from grand hotels to charming and affordable guesthouses, from five-star dining rooms to simple cafes. Maps.

Routledge Handbook of the Tourist Experience offers a comprehensive synthesis of contemporary research on the tourist experience. It draws together multidisciplinary perspectives from leading tourism scholars to explore emergent tourist behaviours and motivations. This handbook provides up-to-date, critical discussions of established and emergent themes and issues related to the tourist experience from a primarily socio-cultural perspective. It opens with a detailed introduction which lays down the framework used to examine the dynamic parameters of the tourist experience. Organised into five thematic sections, chapters seek to build and enhance knowledge and understanding of the significance and meaning of diverse elements of the tourist experience. Section 1 conceptualises and understands the tourist experience through an exploration of conventional themes such as tourism as authentic and spiritual experience, as well as emerging themes such as tourism as an embodied experience. Section 2 investigates the new, developing tourist demands and motivations, and a growing interest in the travel career. Section 3 considers the significance, motives, practices and experiences of different types of tourists and their roles such as the tourist as photographer. Section 4 discusses the relevance of ‘place’ to the tourist experience by exploring the relationship between tourism and place. The last section, Section 5, scrutinises the role of the tourist in creating their experiences through themes such as ‘transformations in the tourist role’ from passive receiver of experiences to co-creator of experiences, and ‘external mediators in creating tourist experiences'. This handbook is the first to fill a notable gap in the tourism literature and collate within a single volume critical insights into the diverse elements of the tourist experience today. It will be of key interest to academics and students across the fields of tourism, hospitality management, geography, marketing and consumer behaviour.

Mark Paul Smith graduated college on an Air Force scholarship with dreams of becoming a pilot. He had some downtime after graduation and before reporting for duty so he decided to hitchhike the world. A decision that would change his life forever. As he traveled, his approach to life and his future decisions changed. He hitchhiked through the Iron Curtain and worked on a collective farm in Hungary only to find that communism wasn't our real enemy. He met people from North Vietnam who showed him the real enemy was the U.S. war machine. Being an American was not popular in those days, but the people of the world showed Smith kindness and kept him alive when he ran out of money. The long road to decision showed him that people everywhere want peace, not war. Mark Paul Smith's hitchhike from Indiana to India in 1972 changed him from being an Air Force Officer into a conscientious objector. His faith in the United States of America was restored when he sued the government and won his case in federal court. His journey is one of faith, contemplation, and awakening, mixed with the freedom and abandonment of the 70s.

Make the most of every day and every dollar with Rick Steves! This colorful, compact guidebook is perfect for spending a week or less in Amsterdam: City walks and tours: Six detailed tours and walks showcase Amsterdam's essential sights, including the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and the Anne Frank House, plus neighborhood walks through the Red Light District, Jordaan, and the historic city center Rick's strategic advice on what experiences are worth your time and money What to eat and where to stay: Sample pickled herring and friets with mayonnaise, chat with locals over a pint of pils, and cozy up in a canalside hotel Day-by-day itineraries to help you prioritize your time A detailed, detachable fold-out map, plus museum and city maps throughout Full-color, portable, and slim for exploring on-the-go Trip-planning practicalities like when to go, how to get around, basic Dutch phrases, and more Lightweight yet packed with valuable insight into Amsterdam's history and culture, Rick Steves Pocket Amsterdam truly is a tour guide in your pocket. Expanding your trip? Try Rick Steves Amsterdam & the Netherlands!