Book excerpt: As the tourism industry grows worldwide, researchers continue to seek solutions and practices that support increased tourism to specific regions. Special interest tourism is a method that looks at how psychological and sociological factors help a visitor choose which destination to visit. By applying this type of tourism in Southeast Asia, the role of emotions, experiences, and place attachment becomes a driving factor for tourists. Special Interest Tourism in Southeast Asia: Emerging Research and Opportunities critically discusses the challenges associated with special interest tourism and how it can be used to overcome unfavorable impacts of tourism for the local community, as well as preserve cultural heritage. The book covers emerging issues such as sustainability, technological advances within this type of tourism, and responses to over tourism and tourism-phobia. It is ideally designed for government officials, policymakers, managers, industry professionals, and university students seeking current research on the recent growth of the tourism industry.