Recent trends in tourism have seen a decline in the traditional mass-consumption model, accompanied by a rise in a more segmented tourism to which local communities must adapt. The tourist is increasingly interested in the region as a source of material culture and nature and demands tailor-made holidays that match their specific expectations. Tourists moreover are increasingly well informed and aware of how they approach participation and what their social and ethical responsibilities are...

This book focuses on the inclusion of individuals with special needs within the tourism sector, with particular emphasis on cultural routes. Promoting sustainable cultural tourism and planning its development through sustainable strategies present significant challenges. A key objective is to strengthen the interconnection between tourism and both social and environmental sustainability. This involves addressing the needs of individuals with disabilities through social innovation, thereby ...

This contributed volume offers a wealth of cases that explore the factors and conditions required for heritage tourism to be economically and socially beneficial to local communities without impairing the natural environment, cultural heritage preservation, or sustainability for future generations. The studies presented here comprise an examination of measures which have been and can be implemented to ensure sustainable use of natural and cultural systems, leading to a new concept of touri...

Addressing a dearth of literature in this area, this book provides a comprehensive overview and framework of study of the politics of religious tourism. Existing work shows awareness that politics is present but the approach has been one of benign neglect, and/or a priori assumptions about the role of politics in the management of sacred sites. Previous literature is fragmented into various perspectives and approaches that best serve different disciplinary interests. By understanding the p...

The book explores and discusses some of the changes, challenges and opportunities confronting local governance in the context of the new urban paradigm associated with the HABITAT III New Urban Agenda, a 20-year strategy for sustainable urbanization, adopted in October 2016 in Quito, Ecuador. The chapters included in the book address public policy issues from different theoretical perspectives and methodological approaches, written by authors from different academic disciplines within the ...

For millennia people have travelled to religious sites for worship, initiatory and leisure purposes. Today there are hundreds, if not thousands, of religious pilgrimage routes and trails around the world that are used by pilgrims as well as tourists. Indeed, many religious pilgrimage routes and trails are today used as themes by tourism marketers in an effort to promote regional economic development. Providing a holistic approach to religious pilgrimage routes and trails, this book: - Addr...

Within the past 10 years 'Religious Tourism' has seen both economic and education-sector growth on a global scale. This book addresses the central role of religious tourism and interrelationships with other aspects of pilgrimage management. It provides practical applications, models and illustrations and looks at secular and sacred spaces on a global stage. The second edition sees the introduction of a new structure and the addition of new international case studies. It is an invaluable re...

In recent years, discussion on tourism has focused mainly on global problems relating to the over-exploitation of space, leaving other aspects of the development of tourist activities almost completely ignored. The book will focus not only on the widely understood tourist exploitation processes, their geographical diversity and density, but also on their significance and influence (economic, socio-cultural, tourist etc.) on regional development and sustainability. It will also cover the de...