For the first time ever, this book brings together an explicit linkage between empirical and theoretical perspectives on tourism and discourse. A broad social semiotic approach is adopted to analyze a range of spoken, written and visual texts providing a unique resource for researching and teaching tourism in the context of communication studies. Some of the key concepts explored in its chapters include space, representation, the tourist experience, identity, performance and authenticity, and the contributors are key sociologists of tourism as well as discourse analysts and sociolinguists.

The book offers an important contribution to the burgeoning field of tourism studies and should, as much for its uniqueness as for the success of its individual essays, prove a point of departure for further work in the field.

Adam Jaworski is Professor at the Centre for Language and Communication Research, Cardiff University He has published widely in various areas of language and communication including touristâhost interaction and representations of tourism.

Annette Pritchard is Reader at the Welsh Centre for Tourism Research, University of Wales Institute, Cardiff. She has published widely in a range of tourism areas.