TON VAN EGMOND

Developing countries exert themselves to promote and develop tourism, for when effectively managed it can aid the alleviation of poverty and the preservation of nature and culture. Many, however, lack the knowledge and understanding of the motivations, interests, preferences and behaviour of tourists, and projects fail to reach their economic goals. Western tourists are the biggest spenders per capita in international tourism and exhibit great diversity of lifeworlds and lifestyles, often perceived by residents in host countries as fundamentally different from their own, resulting in a lack of mutual understanding. This book provides an analysis of Western tourists who travel in developing countries for holiday purposes, enabling suppliers to be aware of and help meet their demands while maximizing economic benefits, minimizing undesired social and cultural impacts, and developing sustainable products and practices.
It will be a valuable resource for students and researchers in leisure, recreation and tourism, and to practitioners implementing tourism programs in developing countries.