The Sociology of Tourism: Approaches, Issues, and Findings

Abstract

This article reviews the body of sociological and anthropolog ical literature on tourism. Following a historical survey of the field, the principal concepts and approaches to the study of tourism are surveyed. The main body of the paper discusses the four principal issue areas in the field: (a) the tourist-his motiva­ tions, attitudes, reactions, and roles; (b) the relations and perceptions of tourists and locals; (c) the structure of the tourist system; and (d) the socioeconomic and sociocultural impact of tourism.