Tourism is the world's largest industry and has major economic, environmental and social effects that are politically significant. Despite its enormous political importance, tourism has not previously received serious examination from a political perspective. Dr Hall provides an analysis of the political dimensions of tourism by examining the variety of scales and areas in which tourism and politics interact. The book deals systematically with the big issues including the role of government and the state, international relations, terrorism and political instability, development and dependency, urban tourism development and its political problems, and the relationship between tourism, politics and culture.