For many communities and countries throughout the world tourism is the most valuable industry. Economic changes taking place in China, India, and the United States (with almost 3 billion people, half the world's population), for example, will have major impacts on the global tourism markets of tomorrow. Social-cultural changes in Europe, with borderless tourism crossings and a common currency, are increasing opportunities for tourism growth. East Asia and the Pacific Rim are experiencing unprecedented growth and change in tourism. From the perspective of economic policy, tourism for local communities is a vital economic development tool producing income, creating jobs, spawning new businesses, spurring economic development, promoting economic diversification, developing new products, and contributing to economic integration. If local and national governments are committed to broad based tourism policies, then tourism will provide its citizens with a higher quality of life while it generates sustained economic, environmental, and social benefits. The wellspring to future growth for tourism throughout the world is a commitment toward good policy. Governments, the private sector, and not-for-profit agencies must be the leaders in a sustainable tourism policy that transcends the economic benefits and embraces environmental and cultural interests as well. Tourism Policy and Planning: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow addresses key ingredients for positive tourism policies and planning that will lead this generation and the next toward a greater quality of life resulting from tourism growth. The aim of this book is to provide government policy-makers (at all levels), business leaders, not-for-profit executives, university professors, students, tourism industry managers, and the general public with an introduction and examination of important policy and planning issues in tourism.

The wellspring to the future global growth in tourism is a commitment toward good policy and strategic planning. Governments, the private sector, international organizations, academic institutions, and not-for-profit agencies must be the leaders in developing sustainable tourism policies that transcend the economic benefits and embrace environmental and cultural interests as well. Tourism Policy and Planning: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow (second edition) offers a comprehensive look into the policy process and how policies link to the strategic planning function as well as influence planning at the local, national and international levels. This second edition has been fully revised and updated with important new chapters and case studies that reflect the many important developments in the travel, tourism and hospitality industry and subsequent new policies and plans needed to better understand the nuances and issues in the travel, tourism and hospitality industry. The second edition features: Updates to reflect recent developments and issues ranging from global economic and cultural issues to concerns for increased national and local leadership in tourism policy and strategic planning Three new chapters: “Barriers and Obstacles to International Travel”, “The International Tourism Policy Process”, and “Transformative Leadership, Poverty Alleviation and Tourism Policies” New case studies throughout the book to illustrate practical applications of policy and planning at the international, regional, national and local levels to provide a solid foundation for a better understanding of new travel and tourism concepts and issues Examination of the past, present, and future of tourism policy development and strategic planning to equip professionals, academicians, and students to better understand the global tourism marketplace.