Introduction to Tourism Management: An Asian Perspective

The exotic imagery of the Orient has allured travelers for centuries. In the last decade, Asia has catapulted into a global leadership role in tourism. Its long history coupled with its contrasting geographical landscapes now form important backdrops for travel itineraries. Yet its destinations are at different stages of development, with varying resources to predict, plan and manage the impacts of tourism that will resonate throughout the destination. The rising wealth of Asian communities and their enhanced ability to travel have also spurred regional and international travel, creating a need to further understand and manage these new travel audiences.

Recognizing the significant rise in travel and tourism in Asia, this book addresses essential issues and challenges in master planning and managing tourism in Asia s various geographical, cultural, environmental and political settings.

Target Audience:
Introduction to Tourism Management: An Asian Perspective is targeted at tourism planners and practitioners as well as undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Refreshing Features:
- Thirteen chapters encapsulating the core topics of tourism destination planning, such as defining and developing appropriate products, operations, transportation systems, regulatory frameworks and marketing strategy in a responsible manner towards the local community and environment.

- Interviews with experts, leaders and entrepreneurs in Asian tourism planning and management, including Taleb Rifai (United Nations World Tourism Organization), Tony Wheeler (Lonely Planet), Dato' Sri Dr Ng Yen Yen (Ministry of Tourism Malaysia), Sir David Tang (Shanghai Tang) and Ho Kwan Ping (Banyan Tree Holdings).

- Focus features within the chapters highlight critical issues in preparing adequately for the influx of tourism and its possible impacts.

- Up-to-date travel and tourism literature is reviewed and explained within an Asian context, with an emphasis on the Internet savvy traveller and the increasingly relevant role of social media, smartphone and tablet technology today.

- Practical notes by tourism agencies showing strategic thinking, direction and actions that should be taken in Asian locations, from vision formation to evaluation methods and interpretation of outcomes.