Mass tourism is one of the most striking developments in postwar western societies, involving economic, social, cultural, and anthropological factors. For many countries it has become a significant, if not the primary, source of income for the resident population. The Mediterranean basin, which has long been a very popular destination, is explored here in the first study to scrutinize the region as a whole and over a long period of time. In particular, it investigates the area's economic and social networks directly involved in tourism, which includes examining the most popular spots that attract tourists and the crucial actors, such as hotel entrepreneurs, travel agencies, charter companies, and companies developing seaside resort networks. This important volume presents a fascinating picture of the economics of tourism in one of the world's most visited destinations.

"The essays in this book investigate aspects directly related to tourism, such as hotel entrepreneurs, travel agencies, charter companies and firms developing advertising networks. The outcome is an extensively documented and successful collage of information on mass tourism as an alternative or complementary source of income for the population residing around the Mediterranean."  ·  Journal of Contemporary European Studies