Tourism evokes images of tropical islands and luxurious beach resorts but it is also big international business. Now replacing oil as the most important industry in the world, tourism can be very destructive of the environment, corrupt and exploitative. The Management and Politics of Tourism explains how governments manage this highly diverse and volatile industry. James Elliot covers the management of tourism at all levels of government, including both developed and developing countries. A historic and economic overview is provided as well as a discussion of the reasons why and how governments are involved in tourism management. Also included are a number of case studies covering policy making, planning a tourism management organisation, local governments, airlines and airports, and environmental control and sustainable development. Detailed information boxes and excerpts of official documents illustrate government management and the tourism system and provide criteria for evaluation. The Management and Politics of Tourism provides a framework for analysis and suggests various principles, lessons, guidelines and checklists for identifying the key factors in the actual practice of tourism management. This is a unique comparative study of how governments manage the dynamic and complex tourism industry.