Social Entrepreneurship and Tourism Philosophy and Practice

This volume explores the links between the rapidly growing phenomenon of social entrepreneurship (SE) and the international tourism and hospitality industry. This unique industry is particularly ripe for transformation by SE and the book’s authors delve deeply into the reasons for this. The book has three parts. The first creates a conceptual and theoretical framework for understanding the uniqueness of SE in the tourism context. The second examines different communities of practice where SE is being applied in tourism. The third is a rich collection of case studies from eight countries where tourism SE is already having an impact. The book’s authors address the topic from many different angles, disciplinary backgrounds and geographic areas. Many case study authors are practicing social entrepreneurs who share their successes, challenges and experience with tourism-related projects. The book also proposes a research agenda and educational programmatic changes needed to support tourismSE. As these are developed, tourism SE will bring innovation to destinations, transformation of their economic and social structures, and contribution to a better world. The book has many insights and resources for scholars and practitioners alike to usher in this transformation.

Social Entrepreneurship and Tourism: Setting the Stage.- PartI: Understanding Social Entrepreneurship and tourism.- Part II: Communities of Practice.- Part III: Cases.- Part IV: Conclusion.

Pauline J. Sheldon is Professor Emeritus at the School of Travel Industry Management, University of Hawai’i, USA, Visiting Professor at University of Ljubljana, Slovenia and co-founder of Tourism Education Futures Initiative (TEFI). Her research interests include tourism knowledge systems, sustainable tourism, tourism education, corporate social responsibility in tourism and social entrepreneurship and tourism.

Roberto Daniele is a senior lecturer at the Oxford School of Hospitality Management, Oxford Brookes University, UK, Director of Tourism Changemakers’ Forum and Executive Committee member of TEFI (Tourism Education Futures Initiative). Roberto’s research interests include e-Tourism, business models/market structures analysis and social entrepreneurship and tourism.