Richard Sharpley is Professor of Tourism and Development at the University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK. He has previously held positions at a number of other institutions, including the University of Northumbria (Reader in Tourism) and the University of Lincoln, where he was Professor of Tourism and Head of Department, Tourism and Recreation Management. His principal research interests are within the fields of tourism and development, island tourism, rural tourism and the sociology of tourism.David J. Telfer is Associate Professor at Brock University, Canada. His principal research areas include the relationship between tourism and development theories, economic linkages between tourism and host communities, tourism planning and rural tourism.