This book investigates the multifaceted impacts of tourism on the physical, social, and cultural environments, drawing on global and Australian examples. Craig-Smith, head of business studies at the University of Queensland, and French, director of the College of Tourism and Hospitality, Brisbane, present a comprehensive analysis of tourism's effects. The authors utilize extensive case studies to illustrate their points, making the material accessible to a diverse audience. The book aims to provide a balanced understanding of how tourism shapes environments and communities.

The book is presented as a suitable resource for tertiary students, school teachers, urban planners, and parks and recreation officers, suggesting its utility in academic and professional settings. Its approach, utilizing extensive case studies from both global and Australian contexts, indicates a practical and evidence-based methodology. The inclusion of graphs, tables, a bibliography, and an index further points to its function as a comprehensive reference text for understanding the complex relationship between tourism and its environmental, social, and cultural impacts.