The new millennium has been characterised by several crises ranging from dramatic acts of terror to natural disasters, as well as the most significant economic recession since the late 1920s. However, despite such challenges the global tourism system has in the main retained its past vitality although in some cases in a different form. The book investigates different kinds of "crisis" and unpacks understandings of crisis in relation to various components in the contemporary tourism system.

The aim of this book therefore is to critically analyse the relationship between tourism and crises. The volume focuses on the roles and potential of tourism for development and relations between tourism, environment and broad global process of change at different levels of analysis, highlighting different types of "crisis". In particular it questions the general conviction that tourism-led development is a sustainable and necessarily solid platform from which to develop local, national and regional economies from a range of perspectives.

Written by leading academics in the field this book offers valuable insight into tourism's relationship with socio – cultural, environment, economic and political crisis as well as the challenges facing future tourism development.