Beaches, Ruins, Resorts: The Politics of Tourism in the Arab World

(University of Minnesota Press) This book investigates the thriving, yet overlooked, tourism industry of the Middle East to show how tourism is shaping the economic development and international relations of the region. The author argues that government elites are using tourism to take part in globalization while crafting it to serve state interests. He also explores tourism’s benefits, including aiding the peace process between Israel and Jordan. Hazburn is an assistant professor of political science at Johns Hopkins University.