Fundamentals of Travel and Tourism

Contents: Preface. 1. Tourism and travel: history and evolution. 2. Tourism and economic development. 3. Geography of tourism. 4. Tourism and hospitality industries. 5. Accommodations infrastructure. 6. Principles of tourism planning. 7. Tourism planning: a global scenario. 8. Environmental aspects of tourism. 9. Tourism and national development. 10. Tourism planning in India. 11. Global ecotourism. 12. Economic importance of tourism. 13. Tourism under WTO regime. 14. The tourism industry: new horizons. Appendix. Select bibliography. Index.

"Man has been a traveller from the very beginning i.e. Adam stage. For one reason or another like food, shelter and security he travelled from one place to another. Gradually with development process causes of travel changed. Thus, evidently man has had the wanderlust from ancient times. As organised activity travel and tourism is a recent development. Whereas in medieval period pilgrimage, exploring new lands, commerce and trade etc. were the prime motive, now travel and tourism is a multidimensional activity---pleasure and holidaying adventure, sports, recreation, health, education and research, ecology, space and business and trade etc., being in its fold. Now tourism has emerged as a flourishing industry and for many nations it is the major contributor to exchequer. This book encompasses a variety of themes pertaining to travel and tourism." (jacket)