Contents: Part I: Context: Tourism and the countryside: dynamic relationships, Derek Hall, Morag Mitchell and Lesley Roberts. Part II: Conceptualization: New directions in rural tourism impact research, Steven Boyne; Rural tourism and sustainability - a critique, Richard Sharpley; What is managed when managing rural tourism? The case of Denmark, Anders Sørensen and Per-Åke Nilsson. Part III: Experience: Encouraging responsible access to the countryside, Lesley Roberts and Fiona Simpson; The host-guest relationship and its implications in rural tourism, Hazel Tucker; Animal attractions, welfare and the rural experience economy, Derek Hall, Lesley Roberts, Françoise Wemelsfelder and Marianne Farish; Authenticity - tourist experiences in the Norwegian periphery, Mette Ravn Midtgard; Rural tourism and film - issues for strategic regional development, W. Glen Croy and Reid D. Walker. Part IV: Strategy and Management: Strategy formulation in rural tourism - an integrated approach, Hans Embacher; Networking and partnership building for rural tourism development, Alenka Verbole; Integrated quality management in rural tourism, Ray Youell; The role of education in the management of rural tourism and leisure, Patricija Verbole; Ecotourism for rural development in the Canary Islands and the Caribbean, Donald Macleod; Relationships between rural tourism and agrarian restructuring in a transitional economy: the case of Poland, Lucyna Przezbórska. Part V: Conclusion: New directions in rural tourism: local impacts and global trends, Lesley Roberts, Morag Mitchell and Derek Hall; Index.

'A balanced, informed, eclectic but coherent, insight into contemporary rural tourism issues. Well worth a read.' Brian Wheeller, Visiting Professor of Tourism, NHTV, Breda, The Netherlands 'A valuable compendium, covering some of the increasingly wide spectrum of issues and opportunities in rural tourism. Well thought through opening and closing chapters encase thought provoking case studies from around the world. Vital reading for students of the subject, the book also has some useful sections for practitioners on the real-politik of questions such as tourism management, strategy formulation, host guest relationships, access and the ever tantalising question of authenticity.' Bernard Lane, University of Bristol, UK, and Co-Editor, Journal of Sustainable Tourism '...should be in all university libraries and on the bookshelves of academics interested in rural tourism. It is a welcome and valuable contribution to the rural tourism research literature.' Geografiska Annaler 'The area/theme approach is...the main strength of this volume... high academic and practical value of this volume. it is an important contribution to the literature on rural tourism, and contains interesting original facts and analyses. The editors have done their best to present a well-structured, well-organized work...to the interested reader. The careful language and content editing is especially commendable...' Journal of Rural Cooperation