Rural Tourism and Economic Development

Abstract

Tourism is a popular economic development strategy. The author reviews three diverse books that study tourism from various social science perspectives-economic, sociological, psychological, and anthropological. Ryan's book is multidisciplinary, in approach and covers all major topics of tourism study-economic, cultural, and environmental impacts; demand for tourism; tourist experience; and marketing. Michal Smith details the negative effects of tourism development in rural areas of the southeastern United States. Finally, Valene Smith's book presents international case studies that document cultural changes caused by tourism development. Despite their different focuses, all three books agree that tourism development has its benefits and costs and that changes to the destination areas are inevitable. Careful planning and marketing can lessen the harmful effects of tourism development.