ROUTLEDGE HANDBOOK ON TOURISM AND SMALL ISLAND STATES IN THE PACIFIC (HB 2023) Hardcover

This handbook offers a timely and critical analysis of tourism's evolution and impact on the 13 independent small island nations of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia in the Pacific. It provides a broad assessment of the current issues, challenges, and opportunities facing these self-governing states in relation to tourism. Featuring 27 original contributions from diverse international authors across various disciplines, the handbook is structured into four thematic sections and includes informative tables and illustrations. Its central aim is to define the role of tourism, its development, and the tourism industry within the context of Pacific Island states striving for independent development. The work highlights and clarifies the complex issues surrounding tourism development in the region, closely examining the interconnected sociocultural, geopolitical, environmental, organizational, operational, and strategic hurdles. The volume explores a wide range of topics, including factors that promote or hinder tourism growth: climate change, ecological concerns, and ecotourism: the phenomena of non-tourism and undertourism: crisis management, particularly in the context of COVID-19: transportation and infrastructure challenges for tourism: tourism policy and planning, including governance: connections between tourism and other sectors like food and agriculture: gender and small businesses: community involvement and management: cultural and natural heritage sites: and the handicraft industry. It critically examines different approaches to sustainable tourism and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. While acknowledging numerous challenges, the book emphasizes the crucial role of effective governance, forward-thinking post-COVID-19 recovery strategies, and innovative solutions for the successful development, redevelopment, and progress of tourism in these islands. As a definitive reference in this field, this handbook will be highly valuable for students, researchers, and academics in tourism, development studies, geography, Pacific studies, sustainability, and environmental studies.