Pacific Island Countries have been shown to be especially vulnerable to such external influences as natural disasters, political unrest and downturns in the global economy and their tourism industries have been notably affected. In particular, they typically have a narrow resource base and a fragile and often vulnerable natural environment. While there is some research on islands and small states, there is a dearth of information on the South Pacific and very little research is being undertaken in the region compared to other geographical regions in the world. This volume brings together current work in Pacific Island tourism. In this collection, three main themes arise: Images of the South Pacific; Socio-economic Impacts of Tourism; and Pacific Island Countries and the Outside World. The first focus is on the question of image, namely, stereotypes of a destination held by tourists and potential tourists, the extent to which residents, for their part, really welcome visitors, and the role tourism might play in changing pre-established images. The second theme is tourism's impacts, notably the economic and socio-cultural effects of international tourism's intrusion in the region which, though often hotly debated, have attracted relatively little empirical research. The third focus is on the challenges of how PICs articulate with their external geo-political and physical environment. These involve existing relations with formal colonial centres, geographical isolation, the need for greater air access to the outside world and for more tourists, and the continuing threat to several PICs of global warming, which increased air travel will inevitably exacerbate. This text will be of interest to tourism students, researchers and academics in the fields of tourism, development studies and cultural studies.

Concerned with the role of tourism in the Pacific area, this text examines the subsequent economic, social, cultural, political, environmental and health implications. Issues such as aid, trade and travel, marketing, resort development and planning are discussed.

Part of the Contemporary Review Series. Contemporary Tourism Reviews will provide you with critical, state-of-the-art surveys of all of the major areas of tourism study to people who are coming to a topic for the first time. Written by leading thinkers and academics in the field they provide flexible, current and topical information as an instant download.

Taking into account advances in economic thought, analysis and in applied methods, it pays attention to relevant traditional topics in tourism economics as well as exciting emerging topics in this field - topics which are expected to be of continuing importance. C A Tisdell, University of Queensland.

The South Pacific isn't just a homogenous spread of palm trees and warm ocean escape your resort and you'll find cultures and experiences as rich as coconut cream. Celeste Brash, Lonely Planet Writer.