This book includes essays that provide fresh and important insights to the study of topics such as the interface of anthropological and sociological theory, the dynamics of Latin American and Asian societies, and social change in Israel and in developing countries.

These original articles relate to major themes in the comparative study of the dynamics of cultures, modernization, and social and political change. The authors, ranking scholars in their fields, provide fresh and important insights to the study of topics such as the interface of anthropological and sociological theory, the dynamics of Latin Americ

There is an unbridged gap between human aspirations to travel into space and the barriers to realizing such dreams. Despite optimistic predictions, a viable space tourism industry has yet to emerge, with only a handful of 'millionaire' space tourists having experienced travel in outer space. Space tourism remains an elusive dream. This is the first comprehensive, multidisciplinary work on the emergent phenomenon of space tourism. Leading specialists from a range of fields cover a wide spectrum of topics including the space history and technology underpinning current developments; space tourists' motivations; and the environmental, social, and legal aspects concomitant with a space tourism industry. The book is unique in its focus on virtual forms of space travel, such as those manifesting in virtual reality, films, and games. The volume takes a nuanced and critical approach to the development of aspirations to leave Earth, stressing the far-reaching implications for the environment and for human life and society on Earth. The book is written in an approachable manner, making it accessible to both academics and the interested general reader. Owing to its interdisciplinary character, it should be of interest to practitioners and teachers across the sciences, humanities, and social sciences.

This book reviews all aspects of the phenomenon of mass tourism. It covers theoretical perspectives (including political economy, ethics, sustainability and environmentalism), the historical context, and the current challenges to domestic, intra-regional and international mass tourism. As tourism and tourist numbers continue to grow around the world, it becomes increasingly important that this subject is studied in depth and best practice applied in real-life situations. This book: - Is the first to address a range of theoretical issues relating to mass tourism; - Uses a wide selection of case studies to translate theory into practice, covering the historical rise and fall of UK seaside resorts, the increase in Chinese tourism, conflict between different mass tourism groups, destination transformation from mass to niche tourism, and specific problems facing cruise ships; - Is written by a range of international, established authors to give a global perspective on the subject. Finishing with a speculative chapter identifying potential future trends and challenges, this book forms an essential resource for all researchers and students within tourism studies.

Over the last fifty years, tourism has become firmly established as a development option around the world. Commensurate with this, the study of tourism's developmental role has also expanded significantly. There now exists a broad understanding of the policies and processes, opportunities and challenges that apply to tourism's potential contributions to development. As the tourism environment now faces numerous challenges and transformations, it is timely to reflect on contemporary understandings of the relationship between tourism and development and to consider future directions. As a contribution to a knowledge and understanding of tourism development, this book: Comprises reflective essays written by internationally-ranked scholars and tourism consultants with extensive experience, particularly in developing countries. Considers extant themes, issues and challenges related to tourism and development. Offers a critical and contemporary perspective on the significance of tourism and its role in development. This thought-provoking volume challenges the orthodoxy of tourism and development, highlights past and current events and considers longer term repercussions and developments. It will be a relevant and enduring resource for academics and undergraduate and postgraduate students in tourism.

In the period after their military service, Jewish Israeli youth customarily embark on a unique touristic practice: the backpacking trip. Combining sociological, anthropological, and psychological research--based on innovative fieldwork conducted with Israeli backpackers in Israel and abroad--this book depicts the complex relationship between the traveling youth and their society of origin. Via a perspective the editors term "outside-in," we learn how social and cultural tensions and tenets, identities, fantasies, and preoccupations are acted out within a symbolic, touristic space by scores of Israeli youth.

This volume brings together research into the process of commercialization of the folk crafts of Thailand: the conditions of its emergence, the parties involved in its development, the changes in the processes and organization of production which accompany it, the channels through which commercialized craft products are marketed, the nature of the audiences they reach, and the transformations in appearance and meaning which the products undergo as a result of their commercialization. The first part of the book explores the commercialization of hill tribe textiles, particularly those of the Hmong refugees from Laos. The second part presents a series of case studies of the various ways in which the products of lowland Thai "craft villages" became commercialized.