Tourism is one of the world's most important activities, involving millions of people, vast sums of money and generating employment in developing and industrialized countries. Yet many aspects of tourism have been ignored. This text makes a contribution from an economic standpoint to the understanding of tourism. Examining such issues as how tourism firms operate in national and global contextx, the effects of tourism on destination areas, the demand for tourism, and the interaction between tourism and natural environments, the authors explain how economic concepts and techniques can offer a clearer understanding of the subject.;The final section discusses the importance of market failure with particular reference to the environmental implications for tourism and its development, examining the means of pursuing the sustainability of both tourism and the environment on which it depends. The Economcs of Tourism presents new insights into the intricacies of tourism demand, firms and markets, their global interrelations and the fundamental contribution of the environment to tourism activities, to offer an accessible, interdisciplinary analysis of the interwoven fields of tourism and ec

Makes a key contribution from an economic standpoint to the understanding of tourism. Examining such issues as how tourism firms operate in national and global contexts, the effects of tourism on destination areas, the demand for tourism, and the interaction between tourism and natural environments, this comprehensive introduction explains how economic concepts and techniques can offer a clearer understanding of the subject.