INTRODUCTION - The Geography of Tourism and Recreation

Geography Reference

In-Depth Information

complex phenomena with substantial economic, sociocultural, environmental and

political impacts at scales from the global through to the individual. It is now time for

geographers not only to develop a deeper understanding of the processes which lead to

the spatial outcomes of tourism and recreation, but also to convey this understanding to

other geographers, students of tourism and recreation, the public and private sectors and

the wider community which is affected by these phenomena.

QUESTIONS

• Is geographical knowledge more important than ever? What is its relevance to

understanding the contemporary world?

• 'This is an interesting time to be a recreational geographer.' Discuss.

READING

Useful introductions to some of the main approaches to the field of the geography of

tourism and recreation include

Crouch, D. (ed.) (1999) Leisure/Tourism Geographies: Practices and Geographical Knowledge,

London: Routledge (a fascinating range of readings from a 'new' cultural studies perspective).

Lew, A.A., Hall, C.M. and Williams, A.M. (eds) (2004) Companion to Tourism, Oxford: Blackwell

(a large collection of essays on various major research themes and traditions in the geography of

tourism as well as the wider tourism literature).

Pearce, D.G. (1995) Tourism Today: A Geographical Analysis, 2nd edn, Harlow: Longman (from a

traditional spatial perspective).

Shaw, G. and Williams, A.M. (2002) Critical Issues in Tourism: A Geographical Perspective, 2nd

edn, Oxford: Blackwell (from more of a critical perspective).

Shaw, G. and Williams, A. (2004) Tourism and Tourism Spaces, London: Sage (from a more

theoretical perspective).

With respect to recreation see

Pigram, J.J. and Jenkins, J. (1999) Outdoor Recreation Management, London: Routledge

(also provides a good introduction to the contemporary literature).