Despite the formidable growth of urban tourism there has been little of the critical engagement that one would expect from the social sciences: the rich potential of contemporary social science for urban tourism has yet to be realized. Martin Selby's textbook makes available to practitioners and students seeking to understand the phenomenon of tourism in towns and cities the methods and concepts that are currently enhancing and transforming our understanding of society in other areas of the social sciences. With an emphasis on image, culture and experience, the author draws upon the "cultural turn" to explains the human aspects of the urban tourism phenomenon. The discussions emphasize the significance of urban tourism within debates upon the contemporary city, postmodernity and the pursuit of social science. Clearly written, with case studies and further reading, this book should be welcomed by students and lecturers in geography, tourism, planning and sociology.

Martin Selby is Senior Lecturer, Liverpool John Moores University