In the past few years, there has been a new emphasis in community-based planning and community development that has filtered down to tourism. Tourism and land management agencies are continually referring to community empowerment and consultation in tourism, as can be seen in Tourism Victoria's recent strategic plan and Parks Victoria's community consultation (and ownership) process for the establishment of Box-Ironbark National Parks in central Victoria.
"Community Development Through Tourism" provides a single reference that integrates community planning, business planning and tourism planning, from a global and Australian perspective. The book is an important text for the many courses that are incorporating aspects of community tourism into their business, tourism, social sciences and arts programs.
"Community Development Through Tourism" has direct relevance because: the structure and content of the book is derived from the author's experience in developing and teaching a Community Tourism specialisation over the past two years, as well as undertaking extensive study and research into communities and tourism; the author has direct experience in facilitating community-based tourism seminars and working with community development practitioners; student and community feedback has not only assisted in shaping the structure and content of the book, but has also underlined the need for such a book.