This volume investigates the complex intersection of urban development, historical preservation, and the commodification of heritage within the modern tourism industry. The authors, Gregory John Ashworth and Peter J. Larkham, utilize a multidisciplinary approach to analyze how cities reconstruct their past to appeal to contemporary visitors. By examining the tension between authentic historical identity and the demands of global tourism, the text provides a framework for understanding how heritage is managed as a strategic economic and social asset.

Experts in the field of tourism studies and urban planning identify this work as a significant contribution to the RLE Tourism series. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which serves as a foundational resource for scholars and practitioners interested in the management of cultural landscapes.