Book excerpt: Making an empirical contribution to the understanding of tourism as a development mechanism in poor regions and countries, this book looks at the successes and paradoxes of tourism in this role and considers why tourism as a catalyst for economic development can be a controversial device. It offers a perspective on theoretical frameworks and uses international case studies covering both social and economic aspects. The book is relevant to both tourism practitioners and academics. It consists of 16 chapters, in addition to an introduction, and has a subject index.