Book reviews

Jackson, Edgar L., and Burton, Thomas L. 1990. Understanding Leisure and Recreation: Mapping the Past and Charting the Future. State College, PA: Venture Press. ISBN 0–910251–34–7. 653 pp. Hardcover, $25.56 (plus $1.50 P&H).

Barnett, Lynn A. ed. 1988. Research About Leisure: Past, Present, and Future. Champaign, IL: Sagamore Publishing. ISBN 0–915611–13–9. 232 pp. Paperbound, $19.95.     

Book reviews

The widespread use of festive promotions, in the urban management of the 1990s, represents an extension in the practice of city marketing. This interest in festivity might be accounted for in two ways; as an economic strategy to combat the deleterious impacts of globalization on local economies, and as a social strategy to combat the growing alienation and insecurity felt in public space. However this paper offers an additional, more cultural, reading. Because of its highly competitive character, the practice of city ‘imagineering’ demands continuous innovation. Recent attention has turned to the liminal possibilities of ‘economically underexploited’ temporal periods. Temporal patterns of celebration are being mined for their touristic potential in a process that robs them of their commemorative depth as it simultaneously strives to retain their festive form. This paper examines two such initiatives- the ‘Night-Time Economy’ and the Hogmanay Street Party. While these have been promoted for economic and social gain this discussion, employing Giddens' concept of ontological insecurity and Lebfevre's concept of rhythmanalysis, explores the links between such innovations and their impact on place making.     

Book Reviews

European American ethnic festivals play an important role in the maintenance of folk traditions and ethnic identity in America. Many of these festivals were established during a mid-twentieth-century period of diminishing Old World identity among second and third generation immigrants. The celebrations sought not only to revive ethnic identification by highlighting customs such as cuisine, music and dance, but also to boost the local economy by tapping into a burgeoning tourism destination market. Wilber, Nebraska, home to a large population of Czech Americans, resurrected such a festival in 1962 that had not been celebrated since 1937, and this paper explores a number of geographical, historical, cultural and political factors contributing to its initial and continued popularity as a regional ethnic festival. Also discussed are the commodified cultural items, including food, polka music, craftwork and traditional clothing that provide Czech Americans a means to engage in and maintain a satisfying level of ethnic identity without exerting significant amounts of money and time. The Czech Festival continues to benefit Wilber economically with tens of thousands of tourist visits each year, and surveys indicate that the maintenance of ethnic customs and identity in the community is increasingly becoming dependent on the festival.     

Book review

Play Behavior. By Joseph Levy. Published by John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1978. Pp. xvi‐232, $12.95

Leisure Counseling: An Aspect of Leisure Education. By Arlin Epperson, Peter Witt, and Gerald Hitzhusen, 1977. Springfield, Ill., Charles C Thomas. Pp. xiii‐377. Hardcover, $18.00

Wildlife Management and Wilderness. By Clarence Schoenfeld and John C. Hendee, Pacific Grove, The Boxwood Press, 1978, Pp. 172 $3.95     

Book Reviews

The Economic Impact of Holiday Villages: A Report for the Rural Development Commission. PA Cambridge Economic Consultants. Salisbury: Rural Development Commission, 1991. Pp. 3–35. ISBN 1-869964-19-5 (paper). Reviewed by Jonathan Murdoch

Beyond the Green Horizon: A Discussion Paper on Principles for Sustainable Tourism. Shirley Eber. UK: WWF, 1992. Pp. vi+54. ISBN 0-947613-0 (pbk): free. Reviewed by Peter Ashcroft     

Book Review

World Heritage Sites (WHSs) are motivated by such diverse reasons as heritage celebration, alarm calls, tourism branding and marketing and place making. Irrespective of the primary motivation for their creation, WHSs are often used to develop tourism based on cultural and natural resources of international significance. Heritage conservation may or may not be in agreement with what local populations perceive as desirable development paths. We conducted a survey among the island community of Vega in Norway that received WHS status in 2004 motivated by conservation alarm, tourism marketing and place making. We examined the local population's views of the key aspects of future development and how this related to WHS status. The islanders placed high value on social and community conditions as well as heritage linked to cultural and natural resources. While a majority supported tourism based on sustainable use of heritage they also felt that WH listing should not limit development opportunities. There were differences between younger people and adults. WHS may be an effective agent of sustainable tourism development if the main goals and strategies of the WHS are clearly understood and prioritized in the local community, leave room and perhaps link to other development opportunities.     

Book Review

Tourism Research Methods: Integrating Theory with Practice. Brent W. Ritchie, Peter Burns, Catherine Palmer. Wallingford: CABI Publishing. 2005. 0-85199-96-4