Focusing on the political economy of the international tourism sector in the era of globalization and its impact in developing contexts, this book employs a case study analysis of South Africa to assess how international tourism as a global system of trade, production, exchange and governance plays out in developing countries. It also examines its benefits and disadvantages for these countries. Scarlett Cornelissen explores the nature and extent of global tourism production, consumption and regulation and how these bear upon developmental prospects, specifically in the South. She also highlights lessons for other developing countries about the limitations and possibilities for greater linkage to the global tourism system. The book is suitable for both scholars and practitioners interested in global tourism, international political economy, development, Africa and cultural studies.

'Scholars of international tourism and national development strategy will find much of interest in this book. It interprets a case study of recent tourism patterns and trends in South Africa through the lens of multi-disciplinary theories of global economic systems and cultural analysis.' Ivan Turok, University of Glasgow, UK 'This is an impressive piece of work, in which Dr Scarlett Cornelissen has demonstrated considerable breadth of knowledge in the developmental aspects of tourism within the South African context, relating the synthesis to the wider setting of the literature on tourism and provided an excellent analysis of them, based upon a clear rationale and focus.' Peter U.C. Dieke, George Mason University, USA '...this is a welcome book that brings the value of international political economy to the tourism table.' Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change

Scarlett Cornelissen is Senior Lecturer in Political Science at the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. Her research projects include the political economy of tourism and urban competitiveness and governance in Southern Africa. She has published on various topics, such as Japan’s involvement in Africa, the impact of international economic changes on South African cities, and the tourism dimensions of sport mega-events. Articles have appeared, amongst others, in the Journal of Modern African Studies, Pacific Review, Third World Quarterly and Review of International Political Economy.