Abstract

The second edition provides an incisive, comprehensive examination of sport tourism, exploring the scope and diversity of the linkages between sport and tourism, and focusing on their manifestations in time and space. In presenting a critical discussion of theoretical and applied issues in sport tourism, the authors synthesize a wide range of literature into insightful perspectives of key dimensions of sport tourism development, using ‘focus points’ in each chapter to illustrate real-world manifestations of the concepts and issues being discussed, with additional support provided by international case studies. Continued growth in the demand for sport tourism experiences has heightened the need for advanced, in-depth and critical insights that are theoretically informed. This incisive book has been written to address that need and to stimulate the curiosity of students, educators and practitioners alike.

This book is far more than an update of their foundational text.The recent advances in sport tourism research and theory have been fully incorporated in this new edition. It provides a comprehensive examination of sport tourism exploring the scope and diversity of the linkages between sport and tourism focusing on their manifestations in space and time. In doing so, the authors continue to stimulate the curiosity of students, academics, and practitioners alike. More importantly, they achieve their overarching goal of advancing theoretical thinking on the subject of sport tourism development.

The second edition of Sport Tourism Development is much more than an update of Hinch and Higham’s seminal text. Recent advances in sport tourism research and theory have been fully captured in this new edition, which synthesized and organizes the field in useful ways. The book constructively explores the current state of knowledge, and clearly articulates the implications for theory and practice.

Professor Tom Hinch is the Associate Dean, Community and International Engagement in the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation at the University of Alberta in Canada. Tom has made major contributions to the study of sport tourism related to place, globalization and identity. He is particularly interested in the place-specific cultural aspects of sport as potential mechanisms by which visitors can connect to places meaningfully.

James Higham holds the position of Professor of Tourism, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand, and Visiting Professor of Sustainable Tourism, University of Stavanger, Norway. His research is situated in the broad field of tourism and global environmental change, which in recent years has focused on climate change, tourist behaviour and transitions to a low-carbon future.

Drs. Hinch and Higham have once again delivered an up-to-date, accessibly written overview of the relationship between sport, tourism, and development. The book addresses the critical issues and opportunities in the industry and crosses over different academic disciplines, in a way that is accessible to academics, students, and practitioners alike.

This is a well-structured revision of an innovative text on a topic of increasing interest and relevance in tourism studies. The authors are to be commended for not only updating their first edition but also for adding some new and highly relevant examples. This is an indispensable text for those interested in the growing field of sports tourism.