Highlighting the inter-relationships between tourism, leisure and recreation, this revised edition introduces growing theoretical debates (from geography and the wider social science arena) to assess how new conceptualizations of tourism and leisure are advancing knowledge and understanding.

Underpinning this book is the concept of the evolving nature of geography and social science, and their role in leading the analysis of the leisure phenomenon as a living subject, which has recently seen significant contributions from the new cultural geographies of consumption and leisure. These developments are clearly introduced, giving readers new to the subject area bite-sized introductions to key issues.

Whilst this third edition retains the successful format and structure of previous editions, making it attractive and user-friendly to students without being overwhelming, it is completely revised and redeveloped to accommodate new case studies, insights, summary points and learning objectives. It is the only book to systematically compare and contrast in a spatial context, tourism and recreation in relation to leisure time, and its encyclopaedic reference section provides an excellent resource for new students. Retaining a global focus, this edition now features a greater emphasis on North America, and investigates the importance of less developed countries and the critical issues surrounding inequality, exploitation, underdevelopment and globalization as powerful forces affecting tourism and leisure.