This volume presents current research on the roles and importance of tourism and its interrelationships with governance and development in societies that are moving or have moved from "authoritarian" to liberal democratic economic and political models, and those adjusting to the accession requirements of an enlarged European Union. The geographical coverage ranges across Central and Eastern Europe, the Central and Eastern Mediterranean, Central Asia, China, and South Africa, and the identification of common themes and frameworks is a distinguishing characteristic of the book.

Derek R. Hall has studied geography, anthropology and tourism for over 40 years, his experience includes:
1970 BA (Hons) 2i University of London (External): Geography with Social Anthropology
1970-4 Research Assistant, Department of Geography, Polytechnic of North London
1973 Postgraduate Diploma in Linguistics, University of Portsmouth
1974 Temporary Assistant Research Officer, Scottish Development Department, Edinburgh
1974-1995 Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Principal Lecturer, Reader, Geography and Tourism, Sunderland Polytechnic/University
1978 PhD University of London (External): Social and Political Geography
1978 British Council Young Scientist in India: Delhi School of Economics; Osmania University, Hyderabad; Centre for Social and Economic Research, Bangalore
1984 British Council funded researcher in Mongolia: University of Ulan Bataar
1986-91 Part-time tour leader for Regent Holidays in Europe and Asia
1995-2004 Head of Department, Tourism and Leisure Management, Scottish Agricultural College, Auchincruive, Ayrshire.
1998 Personal Chair in Regional Development
External examiner at various levels and visiting professor/senior research fellow at a number of universities, including HAMK University of Applied Technology, Finland (1997-2012). Most recent role with Plymouth University.