Tourism routes and trails: theory and practice

Abstract This book presents an overview of tourism routes and trails and attempts to make sense of this complex universe: why they exist, how they were created and what role they play in the development and management of tourism. Chapters 1 to 5 discuss and analyse the nature of routes and trails. These chapters ask what tourism routes, trails and itineraries represent in society and human experience. They consider the link between tourism routes and culture. They go back in history, to understand their origins. They then look at current trends in tourism and the ways that tourism routes express those trends. Chapters 6 and 7 explore the world of tourism routes and trails. They provide an overview of the vast variety of itineraries and routes, from driving routes to cycling tours to high adventure walking trails in the remotest areas of the planet. They identify the principles and factors that underlie successful route projects, and the effects they have on the environments and communities they cross. The chapters consider these issues firstly from the point of view of the public sector and then from that of the travel trade. Chapters 8 and 9 cover the design, creation, development and management of routes and trails: how a trail or itinerary is defined and structured; how project partners are brought together; how routes and itineraries are branded and promoted; how they are governed, managed and funded. On the basis of example and analysis, a set of guidelines are proposed for route development and management. Chapter 10 summarizes the impacts and benefits of routes and trails. Throughout the book, key points are supported by examples.