Asia is regarded as the fastest growing area for international and domestic tourism in the world today and over the next 20 years. Given the economic, social and environmental importance of tourism in the region there is a need for a comprehensive and readable overview of the critical debates and controversies in tourism in the region and the major factors that are affecting tourism development both now and in the foreseeable future.

This Handbook is an ambitious survey of the region and its continued growth and development as a key tourism region as a receiver and generator of tourism, with a high proportion of intra-regional travel. The book is divided into five sections. This first section provides an introduction to the region and context to the nationally focused chapters. The next three sections are then broadly based on the three UNWTO Asian regions: southeast Asia, south and central Asia and east and north-east Asia providing readers with a valuable snapshot of tourism at various scales, and from various approaches and positions with the concluding section considers future prospects for tourism in Asia. The handbook is interdisciplinary in coverage and is also international in scope through its authorship and content. It presents a range of perspectives and understanding of the processes and forces shaping tourism in this fascinating and dynamic region of global tourism activity.

This is essential reading for students, researches and academics interested in Tourism in the growth region of Asia now and in the future.