Tourism, Power and Culture : Anthropological Insights

Tourism as an experience and an industry is infused by culture in its various dimensions, and influenced throughout by relationships of power; this is particularly apparent at the destination site. Anthropological investigations give rich insights into power and culture through ethnographic fieldwork, comparative analysis and theoretical explanation. Within this timely and groundbreaking book case studies come from Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, Australia and South East Asia. It is divided into two sections dealing with tourism and the power struggle for resources; and tourism and culture: presentation, promotion and the manipulation of image. Chapters explore issues as diverse as terrorism, ethnicity and World Heritage Sites, and the role of the analysis of power in tourism studies. They illustrate how culture shapes tourism development, is commodified, and becomes a tool in political and economic strategies and struggles.