Backpackers have shifted from the margins of the travel industry into the global spotlight. This volume explores the international backpacker phenomenon, drawing together different disciplinary perspectives on its meaning, impact and significance. Links are drawn between theory and practice, setting backpacking in its wider social, cultural and economic context.

Birgit Phillips explores the concept of transformative travel as it pertains to long-term independent travelers and offers a broad philosophical understanding of the complex socio-cultural processes involved in identity negotiation. She examines both the elements that contribute to the transformation of values and identities and the mechanisms by which this transformation occurs. By deploying a pluralistic, reflexive, interpretive research approach, Phillips foregrounds the personal experiences of the individual study participants and the meanings they attach to their travel experiences. In addition, since the study spanned over 14 years, the author is able to provide a wide-ranging picture of the complete travel experience, from initial motivations to post-travel reintegration as well as the long-term effects on traveler values and identities.

"Oceania: A Tourism Handbook draws together a wide range of sources to provide a comprehensive handbook of tourism in the Oceania region. As tourism continues to grow in importance and significance for the countries of Oceania, it is important to have a single source of information and reference for tourism. At the same time, it is vital to provide a disciplined analysis of tourism by standardising terminologies and delivering a consistency of approach for all the countries in the region." "The handbook provides an anatomy of tourism in the region by taking a detailed look at each of the three key constituents of Oceania - Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. For each of these regions, tourism demand, supply and organisation have been analysed, as well as a chapter to guide the reader through the tourism statistics sources that are available. The final section of the handbook takes a thematic approach with chapters examining key issues of tourism in the region, including investment, air transport, risk management, land ownership, climate change and tourism education."--BOOK JACKET.

Offering details of all the sights of Sicily, from the mosaics of Monreale and the temples of Argrigento to bustling markets in Palermo, this guide also includes reviews of hotels and restaurants for every budget and region of the island. It also includes information on mountain hikes.

From Mantua's Pallazo Ducale to the precipitous coves of the Tyrrhenian coast, this book guides the independent-minded traveler through one of the most adored countries in the world. of color photos. 82 maps.