Tourism plays an important role in social development and has attracted the interest of the social sciences, including anthropology where it has become an accepted part of anthropological studies.

This book is designed to give an overview and critical assessment of this developing field of study. Basic research from three theoretical perspectives is reviewed and assessed: tourism as a form of development or acculturation, as a personal transition, and as a kind of social superstructure. In later chapters the applied side of the field is examined, including considerations of tourism policy and sustainable tourism development.

Most chapters include summary case studies illustrating some of the important points under examination. The book concludes with a discussion of the integration of basic and applied approaches in the anthropological agenda on tourism and suggestions concerning the future course of study in the field.