Leisure and Tourism: Cultural Paradigms

Book Details:

• Author: John Dodd

• Editor: Veena Sharma

• Publisher: Rawat Publications

• Language: English

• Edition: 2012

• ISBN: 9788131604342

• Pages: 304

• Cover: Hardcover

• Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches

About the Book

This thought-provoking volume is a rich compilation of essays that re-examines traditional leisure practices across diverse global societies. Moving beyond the modern work-leisure binary, the book revisits core leisure values deeply rooted in traditional cultures—values often overshadowed by modern Western constructs of affluence-driven leisure. The contributors, representing various cultural backgrounds, emphasize the need to reassess and revalue indigenous leisure forms in the context of global socio-cultural changes.

From leisure repertoires in Africa and Asia to the evolving roles of tourism and pilgrimage, the essays present hybrid expressions of leisure that blend the old and the new. A key highlight is the critical reflection on how modern tourism often transforms traditional spaces into sites of reconciliation or exploitation. Another compelling aspect is the recognition of leisure as a powerful cultural experience that goes beyond mere recreation.

Interweaving case studies, theoretical insights, and cultural reflections, this book makes a valuable contribution to the fields of leisure studies, cultural anthropology, and sociology.

About the Author / Editor

John Dodd has been actively involved in leisure studies since the late 1980s. He has taught at the University of Technology, Sydney and is currently Associate Dean (Education) at the National Institute of Sports Studies, University of Canberra. His research covers leisure motivations in adult life, midlife transitions, and Australian traditional sport and culture.

Veena Sharma is a Fellow at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla. With a decade of experience lecturing at WICE in the Netherlands, her work compares Vedantic and Akan spiritual traditions and explores leisure through philosophical and cultural lenses. She has presented at global conferences and published extensively in international journals.