Abstract

There are multiple and complex relationships between royalty and tourism which have received little attention in the academic literature. This book draws on historical, sociological and cultural perspectives in its collection of chapters that examine the royal tourism phenomenon in several international and theoretical contexts. Authors in this volume examine for example: the history, development and trajectories of 'royal tourism'; 'royal tourism' and national identities; the interpretation of royalty to tourists; the image(s) and representations of 'royal tourism'; tourist perceptions of royalty and royal properties and sites; royalty, tourism and national image, identity and citizenship.

"This is a timely, authoritative and valuable study into Royalty and Tourism. At a time when it has been calculated that the British Royal Family are responsible for bringing in over £9billion every year in overseas tourism spending, the relationship between tourism and Royalty requires understanding, appreciation and serious study; this book provides that."

The book is to be welcomed by tourism scholars and is likely to provoke more research into what can be a noteworthy component of tourism for many destinations.

This volume offers a great deal of information to a broad spectrum of academics and scholarly students. Additionally, several essays explore a variety of perspectives and interpretations involving the symbolism and significance of the tourism of royalty as expressed by the consumption of the British ruling class, among other European monarchies. Overall this work offers an interesting, useful exploration of this important tourism niche. Recommended.

Philip Long (PhD, PGCLT, BA Hons, MTMI) is a Principal Research Fellow at the Centre for Tourism and Cultural Change at Leeds Metropolitan University, UK. Philip has research interests in the tourism dimensions of festivals and cultural events, tourism - media relationships and, social exclusion from tourism participation. He is also interested in research-based professional development for the destination management and festivals sectors.

Nicola Palmer (PhD, PGCLT, BA Hons, M.Inst.TT is a Senior Lecturer in the Centre for International Tourism Research (CITouR), Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK. Nicola has research interests in destination image, tourist perceptions and the role of tourism in national identity building. She is also interested in public policy and the relationships between the state and tourism agencies. Geographically, her research focus spans from the UK to Central Asia.