Abstract

Shopping Tourism, Retailing and Leisure provides a comprehensive examination of the relationships between tourism, leisure, shopping, and retailing. Critical issues are examined within the framework of the dichotomous relationship between utilitarian and hedonic forms of shopping, shopping as a primary and secondary attraction in tourist destinations, the development of various tourist-retail venues, the role of souvenirs in tourism, and management issues (e.g. merchandising, venue design, and customer service).

Dr. Dallen J. Timothy is Associate Professor at Arizona State University and Visiting Professor of Heritage Tourism at the University of Sunderland, UK. His primary research areas in tourism include heritage, politics, co-operation/collaboration, planning, developing regions, consumption, migration and ethnicity. He has published numerous books, chapters and scholarly articles related to these and other subjects. His research has involved extensive work in Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, and the Caribbean.

This is an exceptionally well-researched volume on a subject often dismissed by researchers and even marketers. It is a welcome addition to the literature on this important activity and should be of interest to a wide audience. Shopping Tourism, Retailing and Leisure is a short, well written book on a subject that is far more important than one might think. Dallen Timothy is to be congratulated for taking shopping out of the closet.

It is very helpful to have a well-informed text dedicated to this important dimension of tourism and the material is likely to be a useful starting point for subsequent studies.

Topical, comprehensive, original and a gold mine of references. This book fills a major void in the tourism literature with chapters that provide a thoughtful analysis of tourist shopping as leisure, labour and recreation. The role of souvenirs, operation of venues and issues of management are explored in depth. It is essential reading for anyone interested in this central element of the tourism experience. …. Let me out of here and lead me to the bargains!