12 Must-Read Books About the Tourism Industry

books about tourism industry

Tourism Economy

Tourism technology, tourism marketing, tourism industry.

With hundreds of books about the tourism industry, you might find it hard to decide which one to read next . The tourism industry books cover a wide variety of topics. The best way to find an interesting read is to choose one that addresses the topic that you find interesting .

To help you, we put together a list of must-read books about the tourism industry. Below you can find relevant information about every book we included, such as a short description, ratings, price, and why you should read it.

It’s always interesting to look at tourism as an economy. The following books will help you expand your knowledge of the tourism economy.

Sustainable Tourism Supply Chain Management

Sustainable Tourism Supply Chain Management

Author: Sudhanshu Yoshi

First edition date: Release scheduled for October 1, 2022

Number of editions: 1

Goodreads rating : N/A

Amazon rating : N/A

Price on Amazon : Pre-order price $149.99

While scheduled for release in 2022, you should have your eyes on this book. The author is focused on sustainable supply chain management and sustainable tourism management in general . The book offers in-depth explanations of the aspect of the supply chain that continuously becomes more complex with every passing year. 

Why we chose it : We chose this book because it’s the first book that provides a comprehensive analysis of the effects policies and strategies have on the sustainable tourism supply chain . 

Things we don’t like : If you are not familiar with the concepts of sustainable tourism management, you might find this book hard to read, as it assumes that you have an extensive background in this field.

Tourism Policy and Planning: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Tourism Policy and Planning: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Author: David L. Edgell, Jason R. Swanson, Ginger Smith, Jason Swanson, and David L. Edgell Sr.

First edition date: May 1, 2018

Number of editions: 3

Amazon rating : 4.3/5

Price on Amazon : Hardcover $173.27, Paperback $52.85

The book explains the connection between tourism policies and strategic tourism planning. The authors explain in great detail the entire tourism policy process and how it affects planning on all levels, including local, national, and international. 

Why we chose it : The book is perfect for people interested in the tourism policy process, and the latest edition addresses some new interesting topics such as terrorism and sustainable tourism. It also introduces new case studies. 

Things we don’t like : While the book addresses many concepts of policies and strategic planning, it is still considered an introduction, rendering it less valuable for experts on the subject. 

Travel Industry Economics: A Guide for Financial Analysis

Travel Industry Economics: A Guide for Financial Analysis

Author: Harold L. Vogel

First edition date: January 15, 2001

Number of editions: 4

Goodreads rating : 3/5

Amazon rating : 3/5

Price on Amazon : Hardcover $97.31, Paperback $99.99

The book closely examines all components of the travel sector, such as marketing, hotels, airlines, tourism, theme parks, and cruise lines. It provides reviews, historical performance, and analysis of every sector , making it a must-read for travel professionals interested in the financial aspect of their operation.  

Why we chose it : We chose this book because the author regularly publishes new editions with updated information. For instance, the latest edition analyses the impact big data, emerging technologies, and pandemics have on the tourism sector. 

Things we don’t like : The book is a comprehensive guide for travel companies interested in improving financial performance and marketing. It addresses complex concepts from the start, so it’s not beginner-friendly.

Transforming Travel: Realizing the Potential of Sustainable Tourism

Transforming Travel: Realizing the Potential of Sustainable Tourism

Author: Jeremy Smith

First edition date: December 19, 2017

Goodreads rating : 4/5

Amazon rating : 4.5/5

Price on Amazon : Paperback $30.75

The author features the success stories of the most innovative travel business across the world . The book is all about the benefits of sustainable tourism, and the common challenges travel companies and hotels face when deciding to go sustainable.

Why we chose it : We chose this book because it enables you to gather deep insights from the case studies. There are also very interesting stories from pioneers and thinkers in sustainable tourism . The book also helps readers discover the most efficient ways to promote sustainable tourism even in emerging economies.

Things we don’t like : While the book highlights some successful examples of sustainable tourism, the examples are somewhat outdated, and the book deserves a 2nd edition to bring new best practices to light. 

As one of the fastest-growing sectors, tourism heavily relies on various technologies. Here are the books that cover tourism technology.

How Robots Can Bring Positive Emotion: To Travelers

How Robots Can Bring Positive Emotion: To Travelers

Author: John Lok

First edition date: January 27, 2022

Price on Amazon : Paperback $14.62

The future of AI use in the travel sector is now. This book explains the key role of AI and Big Data in the tourism industry . It enables the readers to truly understand the impact of emerging technologies and how they can help organisations predict shifts in the target market and changes in consumer behaviour. 

Why we chose it : We chose this book because it is a rare find in the Books About Tourism Industry category. The book tackles some of the most exciting implementations of AI in the sector, such as building positive customer experiences and emotions.

Things we don’t like : While the book enables the readers to understand the importance of using AI and big data to create positive experiences, it doesn’t showcase case studies and positive outcomes of implementing AI and big data. 

An SPSS Guide for Tourism, Hospitality, and Events Researchers

An SPSS Guide for Tourism, Hospitality, and Events Researchers

Author: Rahul Pratap Singh Kaurav, Dogan Gursoy, and Nimit Chowdhary

First edition date: December 15, 2020

Price on Amazon : Hardcover $155.58, Paperback $44.95

The book provides everything a reader has to know about SPSS, a statistical analytics software, to undertake analysis of data at any scale. The book helps readers identify the best statistical method for specific research and delivers step-by-step instructions.

Why we chose it : We chose this book because it’s the first book that enables researchers in the field of tourism to use big data to identify patterns and trends and draw actionable insights. 

Things we don’t like : The book provides highly technical knowledge, and unless you have data scientists or analysts on your team, you won’t be able to make much use of it.

Tourism Information Technology

Tourism Information Technology

Author: Pierre J Benckendorff, Zheng Xiang, Pauline J Sheldon

First edition date: November 14, 2017

Goodreads rating: N/A

Amazon rating: 4.6/5

Price on Amazon: Paperback $53.42

Tourism Information Technology outlines all the challenges of using technology in the tourism sector. It goes through various information technology use cases in the travel sector. It covers tech used in destinations, airlines, accommodation, and travel intermediaries. 

Why we chose it: We chose this book because it’s organized to reflect the stages of the traveler’s journey. It outlines how travelers interact with technologies during the decision-making process.  

Things we don’t like: The book is intended for students, and we don’t like that it also focuses on outdated technology solutions which you have to go through to discover the modern technologies in use today. 

Advances in Tourism, Technology and Systems: Selected Papers from ICOTTS20 Vol 1 and 2

Advances in Tourism, Technology and Systems: Selected Papers from ICOTTS20 Vol 1 and 2

Author: João Vidal de Carvalho, Álvaro Rocha, Pedro Liberato, Alejandro Peña

First edition date: November 16, 2020

Amazon rating: N/A

Price on Amazon: Hardcover $14.60

This book is a collection of research papers presented at ICOTTS 2020. The research paper covers various topics ranging from information technology use in tourism in general to the digital transformation of the tourism business. It also outlines a few studies on how big data and robotics changed the sector.

Why we chose it: The researchers presented at ICOTTS provide valuable insights into technology use in tourism . It’s one of the best resources to stay tuned to the latest technology use cases, best practices, and outcomes.

Things we don’t like: This is not a classic book which makes it harder to consume, especially for readers not used to skimming through research papers.

In case you want to find out more about tourism marketing, the following books will help you learn and discover interesting facts and strategies.

Marketing Tourist Destinations in Emerging Economies

best book for tourism management

Author:   Ishmael Mensah, Kandappan Balasubramanian, Mohd Raziff Jamaluddin, Gina Alcoriza, Vanessa Gaffar, and S. Mostafa Rasoolimanesh

First edition date: November 28, 2021

Price on Amazon : Hardcover $169.99

The book helps readers identify and understand the risks that can derail tourism in emerging economies. More importantly, it offers marketing strategies and best practices that businesses in the hotel industry and hospitality industry can use to flourish in emerging economies . 

Why we chose it : The countries with emerging economies can leverage tourism as an economic generator. We chose this book because it provides practical marketing advice to travel industry organizations in emerging economies .

Things we don’t like : The book is focused on destination and crisis management and marketing during pandemics. Readers that are familiar with these concepts might find the book a less valuable read.

Marketing Handbook for Health Tourism

Marketing Handbook for Health Tourism

Author: Irving L Stackpole and László Puczkó

First edition date: February 18, 2021

Goodreads rating : 

Amazon rating : 4.1/5

Price on Amazon : Paperback $48.50

Marketing Handbook for Health Tourism provides actionable insights for destination managers and health, wellness, and medical service providers . It also features examples and practical advice to health tourism professionals who want to attract more travelers and establish themselves as trustworthy service providers. 

Why we chose it : We chose this book because it offers practical advice to niche audiences. Given that health tourism is becoming popular, knowing what to do and how to do it is very important if you want to stay competitive. 

Things we don’t like : While the book offers case studies and practical advice, there is still more ground to cover, and health tourism organizations might need more data to make informed decisions.

Future of Tourism Marketing

best book for tourism management

Author:   Seongseop (Sam) Kim and Dan Wang

First edition date: June 15, 2021

Price on Amazon : Hardcover $164.34

Future of Tourism Marketing is a comprehensive read tackling the topic of digital marketing tools used in the tourism sector . The book outlines the most recent advancements in information technology and how they impact the marketing strategies for businesses in this vertical.

Why we chose it : We chose this book because it even addresses the use of emerging technologies such as AI, VR, GIS systems, and robots in tourism marketing.

Things we don’t like : The only thing we don’t like about this book is its price point which is quite high compared to some other titles on our list.

Marketing for Tourism, Hospitality & Events: A Global & Digital Approach

Marketing for Tourism, Hospitality & Events: A Global & Digital Approach

Author: Simon Hudson and Louise Hudson

First edition date: August 9, 2017

Goodreads rating : 4.33/5

Price on Amazon : Hardcover $158.55, Paperback $58.54

Marketing for Tourism, Hospitality & Events: A Global & Digital Approach addresses two major topics. First, it emphasizes the importance of acknowledging the shift in tourism demographics. And it follows by addressing modern tourism marketing strategies and the value of personalized messaging and offers .

Why we chose it : We like that the authors shared their personal experiences and insights while also providing relevant tourism marketing case studies and outcomes.

Things we don’t like : We didn’t like that authors often disclose tourism marketing theories but don’t provide more data such as diagrams and tables to support their claims.

If you are interested in reading books covering various topics in the tourism industry in general, you will find the following titles quite interesting and engaging.

The Meaning of Luxury in Tourism, Hospitality & Events

The Meaning of Luxury in Tourism, Hospitality & Events

Author: John Swarbrooke

First edition date: January 24, 2018

Goodreads rating : 5/5

Amazon rating : 4.6/5

Price on Amazon : Hardcover $76.20, Paperback $49.67

As the title suggests, this book takes a closer look at the concept of luxury . It takes readers across the tourism industry globally. Its focus is on the concept of luxury in the industry and how it changes the sector . It also takes into account sustainability challenges and technological innovations as factors that change the concept of luxury.

Why we chose it : We chose this book because it features a dozen case studies, thus helping the readers truly understand the impact of a wide range of factors on luxury in tourism . 

Things we don’t like : Given that the book mainly focuses on case studies, you might find it hard to go through in one go.

The Elephant Tourism Business

The Elephant Tourism Business

Author:   Eric Laws, Noel Scott, Xavier Font, and John Koldowski

First edition date: December 23, 2020

Price on Amazon : Hardcover $12.88

This book is for people involved in elephant tourism, which is a dominant sector in many countries, including India. It brings into perspective the improvements organizations can make to enhance tourists’ experiences of elephant tourism. The book also outlines the marketing strategies elephant tourism organizations can use to efficiently promote activities. 

Why we chose it : This book provides a better understanding of the elephant tourism business, and it’s the only one of its kind published in recent years. Given how important this tourism sector is in some countries, we decide to include it as it addresses several key aspects of elephant tourism. 

Things we don’t like : Many sections of the book are written for veterinarians and policymakers, making finding chapters relevant to tourism organizations somewhat hard. 

Tourism Theory: Concepts, Models, and Systems

Tourism Theory: Concepts, Models, and Systems

Author:   Gui Lohmann and Alexandre Panosso Netto

First edition date: December 19, 2016

Price on Amazon : Hardcover $107.05, Paperback $63.12

This book addresses tourism as a field of study. It covers all essential aspects of tourism, ranging from concepts and disciplines to market analysis and marketing. The book also addresses the most common multi-destination travel patterns and high-season destination management. 

Why we chose it : This must-have book covers everything you need to know about tourism theory. We decided to add it to our list because it’s one of the most complete books on this subject. It makes finding relevant information easy thanks to encyclopedic cross-referencing. 

Things we don’t like : Although quite big, the book is only an introduction to tourism theory, and readers will need to explore other resources to get additional context to better understand some concepts. 

The Good Company

The Good Company

Author: Robert Girling

First edition date: March 28, 2012 

Number of editions: 2

Goodreads rating : 4.5/5

Price on Amazon : Paperback $6.32

The Good Company is a book that features successful companies that are overcoming environmental challenges by implementing emerging technologies. It also highlights the aspects that make a good company and why giving back to the community is essential. 

Why we chose it : Although it’s not tourism industry-specific, we decided to add this book to our list because organizations in the tourism sector can play a vital role in making our planet better. This book can help tour operators and hotel owners build better companies for their employees, consumers, and society as a whole.

Things we don’t like : The book features in-depth key studies of companies making the planet a better place, but the companies included are from the manufacturing and service sectors. There isn’t a single example of a company from the travel industry.

While there are many books about the tourism sector, the 12 we included in our list are definitely must-read books in 2022. We made sure to add books that address fairly different topics and provide insights into the best practices and developments in the industry . Since you might have specific needs and preferences, you should choose a book that can help you find the answers you are looking for .

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Cristóbal Reali, VP of Global Sales at Mize, with over 20 years of experience, has led high-performance teams in major companies in the tourism industry, as well as in the public sector. He has successfully undertaken ventures, including a DMO and technology transformation consulting. In his role at Mize, he stands out not only for his analytical and strategic ability but also for effective leadership. He speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian. He holds a degree in Economics from UBA, complementing his professional training at Harvard Business School Online.

Mize is the leading hotel booking optimization solution in the world. With over 170 partners using our fintech products, Mize creates new extra profit for the hotel booking industry using its fully automated proprietary technology and has generated hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue across its suite of products for its partners. Mize was founded in 2016 with its headquarters in Tel Aviv and offices worldwide.

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100 Best Tourism Books of All Time

We've researched and ranked the best tourism books in the world, based on recommendations from world experts, sales data, and millions of reader ratings. Learn more

best book for tourism management

Fast Food Nation

The Dark Side of the All-American Meal

Eric Schlosser | 5.00

best book for tourism management

Richard Branson Today is World Book Day, a wonderful opportunity to address this #ChallengeRichard sent in by Mike Gonzalez of New Jersey: Make a list of your top 65 books to read in a lifetime. (Source)

Carl Honoré This book again pulled together a lot of things I was hearing about in a journalistic, methodical, rigorous fashion. I found it a very alarming read, but also a reassuring one. One of the charges leveled at those who sing the praises of slowness is that we can get tarred with the brush of new ageism or airy fairyness. I’m not at all from that school. I’m a journalist and rigorous, and I know that... (Source)

Barry Estabrook Eric Schlosser takes apart a single fast-food meal and shows not only how it affects our health but also how the people who serve it to you are treated. He also looks at how the people in the slaughterhouses working with the cattle are treated, and so it shows you the true picture of the all-American meal – burgers and fries. (Source)

See more recommendations for this book...

best book for tourism management

Kitchen Confidential

Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly

Anthony Bourdain | 4.76

best book for tourism management

Eric Ripert I love that Tony’s world in the kitchen was filled with pirate-like renegades when mine was peopled with regimented professionals. How eye-opening and entertaining to read about the other side! (Source)

Jon Favreau Great book. (Source)

Jason Kottke This book is 18 years old but aside from some details, it felt as immediate and vital as when it came out. What a unique spirit we lost this year. (Source)

best book for tourism management

Setting the Table

The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business

Danny Meyer | 4.67

best book for tourism management

Chip Conley One of the best books on hospitality ever written. (Source)

Noah Kagan A few months ago, I was drinking a Noah’s Mill whiskey (cute) with my good buddy Brian Balfour and talking about life... During the conversation, we got on the topic of books that changed our lives. I want to share them with you. I judge a book's success if a year later I'm still using at least 1 thing from the book. (Source)

Julie Rice We did a lot of reading [this book] at SoulCycle. (Source)

best book for tourism management

Smuggler's Cove

Exotic Cocktails, Rum, and the Cult of Tiki

Martin Cate, Rebecca Cate | 4.60

best book for tourism management

Brian Hoffman Great book https://t.co/nLO9g6cLCj (Source)

best book for tourism management

Barbarians at the Gate

The Fall of RJR Nabisco

Bryan Burrough, John Helyar | 4.59

best book for tourism management

Scott Kupor @JPHampstead @TimParksauthor Barbarians is a great book. Hope you enjoy mine! (Source)

Bogdan Iordache There are quite a few good business books on technology, and I'll list below some I find to be a good starting point. Personally, I like biographies a lot and I mostly read biographies of dead people, because those are the most honest ones. So because the computer age is still very young, there won't be a lot of biographies in my list. (Source)

Bill Liao The human world occurs in language so best get good at it! (Source)

best book for tourism management

Desert Solitaire

Edward Abbey | 4.56

best book for tourism management

Robert Macfarlane Abbey is full of passion, fury and contempt – a fiery fighter to shake up the sometimes over-tranquil atmosphere of nature writing. (Source)

Hari Kunzru He has a deep love for this place and he’s amusing to read because he’s such a strong personality. His writing is extraordinary. (Source)

best book for tourism management

The Exploding Business of Travel and Tourism

Elizabeth Becker | 4.53

best book for tourism management

Eating Animals

Jonathan Safran Foer | 4.53

best book for tourism management

Louise Gray It’s a really powerful book and I know many people who it has made vegetarian. (Source)

best book for tourism management

The Art of Travel

Alain De Botton | 4.49

best book for tourism management

Emily Thomas It’s a thoughtful account of de Botton’s engagement with artists about travel. He focuses on painters and novelists with a view to asking what light they can shed on why we travel, and picking up titbits from them for our own travels. One of my favourite examples he discusses is Edward Hopper. (Source)

best book for tourism management

The Market Gardener

A Handbook for Successful Small-Scale Organic Farming

Severine Von Tscharner Fleming | 4.45

Don't have time to read the top Tourism books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.

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best book for tourism management

Salt Sugar Fat

How the Food Giants Hooked Us

Michael Moss | 4.43

best book for tourism management

Sharon Hayes @novenator @andrewmarsh6 @williamorr2110 @EmmaKinery Fat alone doesn't cause obesity. Excess calories do. This is science. There's a fantastic book called "Salt Sugar Fat" that looks at what the food industry does to get consumers hooked. (Source)

best book for tourism management

The Fish That Ate the Whale

The Life and Times of America's Banana King

Rich Cohen | 4.39

best book for tourism management

Ryan Holiday The book sucked me in completely. The subject, Samuel Zemurray, is fascinating and compelling. The writer has a voice that is utterly unique. Since reading this book, I have explored all of this further: I studied Zemurray (whose house was not far from mine in New Orleans and still stands) and am using his story in my next book. I interviewed the author, Rich Cohen. And I read his other books, am... (Source)

Benjamin Spall I loved The Fish That Ate the Whale by Rich Cohen. Not only is it a fascinating story, Cohen's writing is a reminder of just how great non-fiction writing can be if you truly care about it. (Source)

Andrew Wilkinson @BrentBeshore Love that book. (Source)

best book for tourism management

Slow Travel and Tourism

Janet Dickinson, Les Lumsdon | 4.38

best book for tourism management

Excellence Wins

A No-Nonsense Guide to Becoming the Best in a World of Compromise

Horst Schulze | 4.36

best book for tourism management

How Starbucks Fought for Its Life without Losing Its Soul

Howard Schultz, Joanne Gordon | 4.34

best book for tourism management

Ron Conway Story of his return to Starbucks, and the success of the company in a tumlutuous economic time in history. (Source)

best book for tourism management

Meehan's Bartender Manual

Jim Meehan | 4.34

best book for tourism management

Bitter Brew

The Rise and Fall of Anheuser-Busch and America's Kings of Beer

William Knoedelseder | 4.33

best book for tourism management

Holistic Goat Care

A Comprehensive Guide to Raising Healthy Animals, Preventing Common Ailments, and Troubleshooting Problems

Gianaclis Caldwell | 4.32

best book for tourism management

The Tourist Magnet Formula

Transform your Hotel or Resort into a fully-booked tourist attraction using modern, practical Digital Marketing tools

Andrei Tiu | 4.31

best book for tourism management

The National Parks

America's Best Idea

Dayton Duncan | 4.30

Destinations of a Lifetime

225 of the World's Most Amazing Places

National Geographic | 4.30

best book for tourism management

Optimize YOUR Bnb

The Definitive Guide to Ranking #1 in Airbnb Search

Daniel Vroman Rusteen | 4.30

best book for tourism management

The Professional Chef

Culinary Institute of America | 4.29

best book for tourism management

Beating the Odds Against Sugar, Processed Food, Obesity, and Disease

Robert H. Lustig | 4.29

best book for tourism management

Sunshine Paradise

A History of Florida Tourism

Tracy J. Revels | 4.29

best book for tourism management

The Fashion Business Manual

An Illustrated Guide to Building a Fashion Brand

Fashionary | 4.28

best book for tourism management

Grinding It Out

The Making of McDonald's

Ray Kroc, Robert Anderson | 4.28

best book for tourism management

Aj Joshi @brianadgey Great book 👍🏼 very inspiring (Source)

best book for tourism management

A Small Place

Jamaica Kincaid | 4.28

best book for tourism management

One Day at Disney

Meet the People Who Make the Magic Across the Globe

Bruce Steele | 4.27

best book for tourism management

The Darker Side of Travel

The Theory and Practice of Dark Tourism

Richard Sharpley and Philip R. Stone | 4.26

best book for tourism management

Sustainable Tourism on a Finite Planet

Environmental, Business and Policy Solutions

Megan Epler Wood | 4.26

best book for tourism management

In-N-Out Burger

A Behind-the-Counter Look at the Fast-Food Chain That Breaks All the Rules

Stacy Perman | 4.26

best book for tourism management

The Last Season

Eric Blehm | 4.26

best book for tourism management

Moon Anchorage, Denali & the Kenai Peninsula

Don Pitcher | 4.26

best book for tourism management

A Room with a View

E.M. Forster | 4.25

best book for tourism management

Hind Makki A Room With a View. The book is great. The movie is better. https://t.co/Q8E0KXD4kj (Source)

A History of the World's Most Liberal City

Russell Shorto | 4.25

best book for tourism management

Be Our Guest

Perfecting the Art of Customer Service

The Disney Institute and Theodore Kinni | 4.25

best book for tourism management

Vagabonding

An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel

Rolf Potts, Timothy Ferriss | 4.24

best book for tourism management

Joel Gascoigne Travel is something we've found to crave and seek out within the team, and the fact we're set up as a distributed team gives us all a lot of freedom to explore the world. Vagabonding is one of the best books out there to think about travel in a whole new way. Rather than going to places for just a few days and cramming in seeing all the sights, it suggests that if we can we should spend weeks or... (Source)

best book for tourism management

Principles, Practices, Philosophies

Charles R. Goeldner, J. R. Brent Ritchie | 4.24

best book for tourism management

Frommer's Maine Coast

Brian Kevin | 4.23

best book for tourism management

Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 2

More Amazing Clones of Famous Dishes from America's Favorite Restaurant Chains

Todd Wilbur | 4.23

best book for tourism management

The Golden Arches in Black America

Marcia Chatelain | 4.23

best book for tourism management

Ida Bae Wells I remember sitting in absolute awe the 1st time @DrMChatelain talked abt this book she was writing on McDonalds, race & black capitalism. It was uncovering the story of something you see everyday but think little about, revealing hidden history in the best possible way. Excited! https://t.co/5uXRRpgd5Y (Source)

Matt Garcia The story of how black entrepreneurs used the predominance of fast food in their communities as an economic development opportunity is brought to light by this book. Chatelain looks at entrepreneurs who take fast food franchises and retrofit them as employment sources and gathering spots for their communities. She talks about how McDonald’s becomes a place, not just of wealth for some black... (Source)

best book for tourism management

Goodnight Brew

A Parody for Beer People

Karla Oceanak | 4.23

best book for tourism management

Travels in the New Global Garage Sale

Adam Minter | 4.22

best book for tourism management

Rafat Ali Anyone in B2B or business media, want to learn how to make your subject and writing interesting and big picture, read this. Certainly the most interesting book I have read in a while. https://t.co/gXHdAHBnA2 https://t.co/MfUXyXWNa6 (Source)

best book for tourism management

The Man Who Fed the World

Hesser Hesser | 4.22

Bill Gates Norm Borlaug is one of my heroes—and Leon Hesser’s biography is a fascinating account of Borlaug’s life and accomplishments. This is a story of genius, self-sacrifice, and determination. Borlaug was a remarkable scientist and humanitarian whose work in agriculture is rightfully credited with saving the lives of over a billion people. (Source)

best book for tourism management

A New Theory of the Leisure Class

Dean MacCannell, Lucy R. Lippard | 4.22

best book for tourism management

Tourist Season

Carl Hiaasen | 4.22

The Art of Natural Cheesemaking

Using Traditional, Non-Industrial Methods and Raw Ingredients to Make the World's Best Cheeses

David Asher and Sandor Ellix Katz | 4.21

best book for tourism management

Tourism 1 Student's Book

Robin Walker, Keith Harding | 4.19

best book for tourism management

Assassination Vacation

Sarah Vowell | 4.18

best book for tourism management

Dark Lord of Derkholm (Derkholm, #1)

Diana Wynne Jones | 4.18

best book for tourism management

Pour Your Heart Into It

Highbridge | 4.17

Yaro Starak There were also more traditional books or businesses I read about, like the biography of Starbucks. It’s really more the biography of the CEO, Howard Schultz, a lot about him growing the Starbucks brand. Since I spent a lot of time writing in Starbucks cafés, that was an important company to me. (Source)

Jilliene Helman I really, really like company biographies. They're just kind of the style of book that I've gotten really into. [...] I've read the Starbucks CEO book. (Source)

The Castle on Sunset

Life, Death, Love, Art, and Scandal at Hollywood's Chateau Marmont

Shawn Levy | 4.17

best book for tourism management

Chris Jacobs LAX ➡️ JFK... A chance to turn some more pages in this fantastic book. I love reading about Hollywood History and the Marmont is legendary. See ya soon NYC! 🍎🍎🍎 #chateaumarmont @ Los Angeles, California https://t.co/zmfOEoKnHP (Source)

best book for tourism management

Bourbon Empire

The Past and Future of America's Whiskey

Reid Mitenbuler | 4.17

Feeding You Lies

How to Unravel the Food Industry's Playbook and Reclaim Your Health

Vani Hari | 4.16

The Food Truck Handbook

Start, Grow, and Succeed in the Mobile Food Business

David Weber | 4.16

best book for tourism management

Introduction to Tourism

Leonard J Lickorish, Carson L Jenkins | 4.15

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Seeds of Deception

Exposing Industry and Government Lies about the Safety of the Genetically Engineered Foods You're Eating

Jeffrey M. Smith | 4.15

best book for tourism management

Miranda Bay

Susan Tarr | 4.15

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The Case Against Sugar

Gary Taubes | 4.14

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Vinod Khosla Not surprising but explicit description of the American psych on sugar and fat by the sugar industry. I would not have believed this much influence is possible. (Source)

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Restaurant Success by the Numbers, Second Edition

A Money-Guy's Guide to Opening the Next New Hot Spot

Roger Fields | 4.13

Gregoire Jacquet After being in the business for many years, I thought I knew everything, but working with Roger showed me how much more there is to know. Restaurant Success by the Numbers contains the know-how you’ll need to open and run a thriving restaurant. If you want to succeed in the restaurant business, read it! (Source)

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Frommer's Easyguide to New Orleans 2019

Diana K. Schwam | 4.13

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Uncommon Grounds

The History of Coffee and How It Transformed Our World

Mark Pendergrast | 4.13

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Tim Kaine My two favorite birthday gifts—Chiefs Super Bowl t-shirt from my parents and book about the history of coffee from Anne! https://t.co/Ub3D6ck1Vk (Source)

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A Textbook of Culinary Fundamentals

Sarah R. Labensky | 4.13

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The Tourist Gaze 3.0

John Urry, Jonas Larsen | 4.13

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Moon Coastal Maine

With Acadia National Park

Hilary Nangle | 4.13

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Drawn to the Dark

Explorations in Scare Tourism Around the World

Chris Kullstroem | 4.11

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Roadfood, 10th Edition

An Eater's Guide to More Than 1,000 of the Best Local Hot Spots and Hidden Gems Across America

Jane Stern | 4.11

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The Business of Hospitality and Travel

Roy A. Cook, Cathy H. C. Hsu, et al. | 4.11

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The New Gold Standard

5 Leadership Principles for Creating a Legendary Customer Experience Courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company

Joseph Michelli | 4.10

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Cambridge International as and a Level Travel and Tourism Coursebook

Sue Stewart, Fiona Warburton, et al. | 4.09

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Tourism Operations and Management

Sunetra Roday, Archana Biwal, Joshi Vandana | 4.09

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Hosts and Guests

The Anthropology of Tourism

Valene L. Smith | 4.09

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Tourism in National Parks and Protected Areas

Planning and Management

Paul F J Eagles, Stephen F McCool | 4.09

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What's Love Got to Do with It?

Transnational Desires and Sex Tourism in the Dominican Republic

Denise Brennan | 4.09

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Handbook of Medical Tourism Program Development

Developing Globally Integrated Health Systems

Maria K. Todd | 4.08

The Last Call

Brad Thomas Parsons | 4.08

I’m no angel, and he’s definitely no saint. We’ve crossed paths on the way to hell, and now he thinks we’re going to enjoy the rest of the ride together...

I said no. He said yes. I turned him down. He kicked in my door. He told me to stay. I ran as far as I could. I hate him. He adores me. I’m crazy. He’s worse. I want to leave. He won’t let me go. I’m a bitch. He loves me anyway. He’s...

I said no. He said yes. I turned him down. He kicked in my door. He told me to stay. I ran as far as I could. I hate him. He adores me. I’m crazy. He’s worse. I want to leave. He won’t let me go. I’m a bitch. He loves me anyway. He’s a killer. I don’t really care. He says I’m strong, beautiful, talented. I say he’s lying. He’s doing everything he can to make me believe it. I’m doing everything I can to resist him. He fights and f*cks as hard as I do , and now...I think I might like him too.

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Dark Tourism

Malcolm Foley, John Lennon | 4.08

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Heads in Beds

A Reckless Memoir of Hotels, Hustles, and So-Called Hospitality

Jacob Tomsky | 4.08

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Going International

English for Tourism Student's Book

Keith Harding | 4.07

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Ecotourism and Sustainable Development

Who Owns Paradise?

Dr. Martha Honey PhD | 4.06

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Grand Hotel Europa

Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer | 4.06

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An Introduction to Tourism and Anthropology

Peter Burns | 4.06

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Devil's Bargains

Tourism in the Twentieth-Century American West

Hal K. Rothman | 4.06

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The Business Of Tourism

J. Christopher Holloway, Neil Taylor | 4.06

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Ice Cream Social

The Struggle for the Soul of Ben & Jerry's

Brad Edmondson | 4.05

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Marketing for Hospitality and Tourism

James C. Makens | 4.05

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Construyendo Xperiencias

Customer Experience, la clave para generar rentabilidad y diferenciación

Rodrigo Fernandez de Paredes Alegria | 4.05

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Branding India

An Incredible Story

Amitabh Kant | 4.04

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Marketing for Tourism, Hospitality & Events

A Global & Digital Approach

Simon Hudson and Louise Hudson | 4.04

Secret Formula

The Inside Story of How Coca-Cola Became the Best-Known Brand in the World

Frederick Allen | 4.03

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Tourism Planning

Basics, Concepts, Cases

Clare A. Gunn, Turgut Var | 4.01

Servsafe and CPFM Study Guide 2019

Food Manager Certification

Miller Test Prep | 4.01

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Tourism Management

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The Beginner's Guide to Cheese Making

Easy Recipes and Lessons to Make Your Own Handcrafted Cheeses

Elena R. Santogade | 4.01

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So You Want to Start a Brewery?

The Lagunitas Story

Tony Magee | 4.00

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An Integrated and Sustainable Development Approach

Edward Inskeep, Edw Inskeep | 4.00

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The New Brand Management for Nations, Cities and Regions

Simon Anholt | 4.00

best book for tourism management

Voyeur (Voyeur, #1)

Gay Talese | 4.00

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Clare Inkson is a Senior Lecturer in Tourism at the University of Westminster in London. She has extensive experience of working in tourism in operational and marketing roles in the UK and overseas, for tour operators, wholesalers and travel agencies. Her research interests include tourism distribution channels, destination marketing and the tourism sharing economy.

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16 inspiring hotel management books to read in 2024

Stay up to date with the latest trends, insights and technology for hoteliers.

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Lana Cook

By Lana Cook

From managing employees to coordinating hotel services and creating the structure to deliver exceptional guest experiences , a hotel manager’s role encompasses a wide variety of tasks.

In order to master the skills required to successfully manage your hotel business, you should look to leaders who have been in your shoes before. By listening to other hoteliers and hotel industry experts, you can avoid common pitfalls and perfect your management skills in record time.

Check out 16 must-read hospitality books from the world’s top hospitality experts.

1. More Reservations, Happier Guests: The Ultimate Guide for the Modern Hotelier

Author: Cloudbeds, Adam Harris, Richard Castle, Rafael Blanes, Chad Brubaker, Kristy Espat, and more.

Goodreads Rating: N/A – eBook

Published: 2022

Read ‘ More Reservations, Happier Guests: The Ultimate Guide for the Modern Hotelier.’

What’s it about?

There has never been a more exciting time to be in the hospitality industry. Travelers are eager to experience the world in new and unique ways in 2022 and beyond.

Today’s lodging businesses are not bound by traditional hotel models – in some cases, they’re not even bound by walls. Cloudbeds wrote this book with these modern hoteliers in mind, putting together their collective knowledge of hundreds of years in hospitality and technology to help properties of all sizes and types succeed.

Why should I read it?

This book was created for owners and operators of all types of lodging businesses to develop the knowledge and skills they need to leverage technology to achieve their business objectives. Learn from an array of hospitality experts on strategies, ideas, fundamentals, and best practices to drive performance across departments, implement smart revenue strategies and build guest satisfaction.

Reviews are in:

“More Reservations, Happier Guests builds on the collective hospitality experience in one of the fastest-growing hotel tech startups of all time: Cloudbeds. With thousands of properties using its platform, Cloudbeds has gleaned insights from working with hospitality businesses of all sizes and types, all around the world. The book distills this collective wisdom into the key concepts hoteliers need to understand in order to build successful businesses.” – Jordan Hollander, CEO at Hotel Tech Report

2. Revenue Management Made Easy

Author: Ira Vouk

Goodreads Rating: 4.00 (4 ratings)

Published: 2018

Learn more about ‘ Revenue Management Made Easy .’ 

From the originator of the ARPAR performance index. This book brings a fresh view on revenue management and describes the tools that are relevant and effective today. It contains both theoretical knowledge and practical advice on how to revenue manage your hotel and significantly grow your RevPAR and bottom line.

Ira Vouk is a tech innovator, consultant, and educator with nearly 20 years of practical experience in the hospitality and tourism industry. She developed the Adjusted RevPAR hospitality performance metric for profit maximization and brings a modern look at revenue management and the tools relevant today. In less than 100 pages, Ira gives practical advice on how to significantly grow your hotel revenue and bottom line.

Reviews are in: 

“The best you can find, if you’re interested in Revenue Management 101 in Tourism and Hospitality. Solid, profound, practical. Read it, open an excel sheet and start.” – Dr. Hans Vettiger, Senior Lecturer at Swiss Universities

3. Be Our Guest: Perfecting the Art of Customer Service

Author: Walt Disney Company, Theodore Kinni, Michael D. Eisner

Goodreads Rating: 3.95 (2,693 ratings)

Published: 2001

Learn more about ‘ Be Our Guest: Perfecting the Art of Customer Service. ‘

The Disney Institute specializes in helping professionals see new possibilities through concepts not found in the typical workplace. This bestseller reveals the behind-the-scenes strategies, principles, and processes of the Disney approach to exceptional customer service, which emphasizes the best ways to provide quality service to one’s customers.

Exceeding expectations is the cornerstone of the Disney approach to customer service. “Be Our Guest” shares best practices that have helped make Disney the brand they are today. This book is great for any hotel looking to improve their guest experience and deliver consistent, quality service.

“This book is an essential read for anyone interested in getting to grips with how Disney consistently delivers top-quality service. The methods are easily transferrable to any organization – you don’t have to be running a theme park to get something out of this. Probably the most useful business book I have ever read.” – Amazon Reviews

4. Without Reservations: How a Family Root Beer Stand Grew into a Global Hotel Company

Author: J.W “Bill” Marriot Jr.

Goodreads Rating: 3.83 (227 ratings)

Published: 2012

Learn more about ‘ Without Reservations: How a Family Root Beer Stand Grew into a Global Hotel Company .’

In “Without Reservations,” global business leader and hotel industry icon J.W. “Bill” Marriott, Jr., shares both the story of and the recipe for the success of Marriott International, one of the world’s leading hotel companies. The company began with one family-run root beer stand and grew over eight decades, through his leadership, into a global corporation that is widely respected for the way it does business.

Bill Marriot deep dives into the successes and failures that he’s faced while leading one of the world’s leading hotels. He emphasizes the importance of culture within your business and provides readers with tips on decision-making and how to deal with difficult situations.

“Bill Marriott is one of the best entrepreneurial minds in the business. He knows what it takes to build brands, relationships, and a winning corporate culture. ‘Without Reservations’ is a compelling story of how best-in-class service, integrity, loyalty, and leadership turned a small, family business into one of the world’s most respected companies.” – Ken Chenault, CEO, and Chairman at American Express

5. The New Gold Standard: 5 Leadership Principles for Creating a Legendary Customer Experience Courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company 

Author: Joseph A. Michelli

Goodreads Rating: 3.93 (768 ratings)

Published: 2008

Learn more about ‘ The New Gold Standard: 5 Leadership Principles for Creating a Legendary Customer Experience Courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. ‘

When it comes to refined service and exquisite hospitality, one name stands high above the rest: The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. With ceaseless attention to every luxurious detail, the company has set the bar for creating memorable customer experiences in world-class settings. Now, for the first time, the leadership secrets behind the company’s extraordinary success are revealed.

Why should I read it? 

Get a behind-the-scenes tour of one of the most infamous hotel brands in the world. This book explores all levels of leadership within the company and looks at what principles have helped them deliver such a unique customer experience. It’s perfect for hoteliers looking for practical advice and processes to implement into their own properties.

“The Ritz Carlton is the best hotel chain in the world because of the unique experience it offers. This book shows you how to install the same customer-focused attitude toward service that makes a world leader.” – Brian Tracy, author of The Way to Wealth

6. The Heart of Hospitality: Great Hotel and Restaurant Leaders Share Their Secrets

Author: Micah Solomon

Goodreads Rating: 4.23 (134 ratings)

Published: 2016

Learn more about ‘ The Heart of Hospitality: Great Hotel and Restaurant Leaders Share Their Secrets .’

Success in today’s rapidly changing hospitality industry depends on understanding the desires of guests of all ages, from seniors and boomers to the newly dominant millennial generation of travelers. This book delivers insights into these groups and how to run a successful business.

With a great balance of practical concepts and examples, “The Heart of Hospitality” is an important read for any property owner or restaurateur looking to develop a unique and memorable service experience that their guests will never forget. This book includes first-hand stories and wisdom from top industry professionals, including Isadore Sharp, Four Seasons Chairman, Danny Meyer, Union Square Hospitality Group CEO, and more.

“Micah Solomon is one of today’s preeminent thought leaders on where hospitality, customer service, and customers themselves are heading. In ‘The Heart of Hospitality,’ Micah has put together the only book of its kind: a spectacularly useful, intelligent, and wry look at what determines success in the hospitality industry, packed throughout with his own insights and the insights of an extraordinary roster of great leaders and practitioners from our industry today.” – Herve Humler, President and COO, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company

7. The Cornell School of Hotel Administration on Hospitality: Cutting Edge Thinking and Practice

Author: Jack B. Corgel, Michael C. Sturman

Goodreads Rating: 4.33 (33 ratings)

Published: 2011

Learn more about ‘ The Cornell School of Hotel Administration on Hospitality: Cutting Edge Thinking and Practice .’

This cutting-edge and comprehensive book, with contributions from the star faculty of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration, offers the latest thinking on the best practices and strategies for hospitality management.

This book is an important read for any professionals looking to enter into or expand their reach within the hospitality industry. It includes information on how to maximize profits from contracts and agreements, predict customer choices, and motivate staff to provide exceptional service.

“The Cornell School of Hotel Administration on Hospitality is the most comprehensive work to date on how to compete in the hospitality industry and beyond.” – Michael D. Johnson, Dean at Cornell School of Hotell Administration

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8. Check-In Check-Out: Managing Hotel Operations

Author: Gary K. Vallen, Jerome J. Vallen

Goodreads Rating: 4.39 (23 ratings)

Learn more about ‘Check-In Check-Out: Managing Hotel Operations .’

This book provides coverage of the hotel’s front office and all of the supporting positions that make it work. Organized to reflect how a guest moves through the hotel, this book provides a broad view of lodging management and covers topics such as corporate housing and destination elevators.

An extremely helpful guide for both new and old hoteliers, this book helps provide a detailed look into the guest experience flow and important details to be aware of within your own property. It has been recently updated to include topics such as cancellation policies for major OTAs , leading-edge technology , global distribution, and more.

“I rotated through several departments in a 5-star Asian hotel, working for housekeeping, banquets, reservations, front desk, bell desk, and marketing. This book is especially valuable for those who work the front desk. This department is covered thoroughly and after reading the book you will have a good understanding of how things really work and why.” – Goodreads Reviews

9. 100 Tips for Hoteliers: What Every Successful Hotel Professional Needs to Know and Do

Author: Peter Venison

Goodreads Rating: 3.75 (103 ratings)

Learn more about ‘ 100 Tips for Hoteliers: What Every Successful Hotel Professional Needs to Know and Do .’

“100 Tips for Hoteliers” guides you from the inception of a hotel to its opening and operation, offering practical tips for each stage of the journey.

A great book for practicing hotel owners and managers to understand responsibilities that may be overlooked or undervalued at their properties. It provides real-world advice to help improve your operations and is a great read for smaller independent properties.

“This is an amazing book containing invaluable operating advice from each stage of property development or acquisition through opening day and beyond.” – Amazon Reviews

10. Overbooked: The Exploding Business of Travel and Tourism

Author: Elizabeth Becker

Goodreads Rating: 3.80 (752 ratings)

Published: 2013

Learn more about ‘ Overbooked: The Exploding Business of Travel and Tourism .’

The largest global business in the world today is tourism. Employing one out of twelve people and producing $6.5 trillion of the world’s economy, it is the main source of income for many countries. Elizabeth Becker describes the dimensions of this industry and its effect on the world economy, the environment, and our culture.

This book shines a light on the tourism industry that we don’t often see and it’s an important read for anyone who travels or who works in hospitality. It highlights the successes and failures of modern-day tourism and how travel impacts our world.

“The definitive account of the rise of the modern tourism industry, from its beginnings as a small, fanciful pastime among elites, to its explosive growth after World War II, to its present as an economic engine valued at $7 trillion.” – Bloomberg BusinessWeek

11. 7 EASY Ways to Show Your Employees YOU Care! 

Author: Jokima Hiller

Goodreads Rating: 4.44 (9 ratings)

Published: 2015

Learn more about ‘ 7 EASY Ways to Show Your Employees YOU Care !’

What’s it about? 

Employees are very important to the success of any business, however, feeling unappreciated is the number one reason why employees leave their jobs. Caring for someone is an action, and as a manager, you must put in the effort to connect with your team to exhibit your thoughtfulness, concern, and compassion.

With the hospitality industry struggling to fill roles, it’s important for hotel owners and managers to understand the best ways to attract and retain employees. This book provides readers with practical and inexpensive ways to increase work satisfaction and productivity.

“What is most special about this booklet is that the topic of caring for people transcends cultural, racial, language, and other barriers to relationships. The outcome is that people’s performance will be enhanced and reinforce that they belong to something larger than themselves.” – John Szczepanski, Senior Director of Association Relations and Risk Management at White Lodging Services

12. 12 Golden Keys to Hospitality Excellence

Author: F.H. Benzakour

Goodreads Rating: 4.33 (15 ratings)

Learn more about ‘ 12 Golden Keys to Hospitality Excellence .’

In the “12 Golden Keys to Hospitality Excellence,” author F. H. Benzakour, Cornell graduate and Professor of Contemporary Club Management at Fairleigh Dickinson University, shares his insights and expertise on superior management.

Designed for hotel managers, this book provides a strategic 12-step approach to creating and running a successful business. It looks at how to create demand, where you should invest your time, and the importance of a business strategy.

Reviews are in: “A thoughtful compilation of core concepts every hospitality leader should know and be reminded of regularly. Packed with tools of the trade and storytelling, bring it all together in an impactful read from one of the most decorated hospitality operators in the industry.” – Ryan Doerr, President at Strategic Club Solutions and The Spire Group

13. The Ideal Team Player: How to Recognize and Cultivate the Three Essential Virtues

Author: Patrick Lencioni

Goodreads Rating: 4.09 (9,096 ratings)

Learn more about ‘ The Ideal Team Player: How to Recognize and Cultivate the Three Essential Virtues. ‘

In “The Ideal Team Player,” Lencioni tells the story of Jeff Shanley, a leader desperate to save his uncle’s company by restoring its cultural commitment to teamwork. Jeff must crack the code on the virtues that real team players possess, and then build a culture of hiring and development around those virtues.

Hiring the right people committed to delivering exceptional guest experiences is critical to the success of any hotel. This book provides management teams with easy-to-use tools for identifying, hiring, and developing ideal team players.

“In his signature storytelling style, Lencioni brings to life the three foundational virtues of a real team player. Let everyone in your organization read this book and watch your results soar.” – Verne Harnish, founder of Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO); author, Scaling Up (Rockefeller Habits 2.0)

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14. What Got You Here Won’t Get You There: How Successful People Become Even More Successful

Author: Marshall Goldsmith

Goodreads Rating: 3.95 (26,273 ratings)

Learn more about ‘ What Got Your Here Won’t Get You There: How Successful People Become Even More Successful .’

The corporate world is filled with executives who have worked hard for years to reach the upper levels of management. They’re intelligent, skilled, and even charismatic, but only a handful of them will ever reach the pinnacle – and as executive coach Marshall Goldsmith shows in this book, subtle nuances make all the difference.

Considered one of the world’s most respected executive coaches, Goldsmith provides invaluable advice in this book on how to overcome habits that may be holding you back from success. A helpful read for anyone looking to improve their communication skills with employees and guests at work.

“Marshall’s proven improvement process ROCKS!” – Alan Mulally, CEO, Ford Motor Company

15. A Wealth of Insight: The World’s Best Luxury Hoteliers on Leadership, Management, and the Future of 5-Star Hospitality

Author: Rahim B. Kanani

Goodreads Rating: 4.31 (13 ratings)

Published: 2017

Learn more about ‘ A Wealth of Insight: The World’s Best Luxury Hoteliers on Leadership, Management, and the Future of 5-Star Hospitality .’

A “Wealth of Insight” profiles more than thirty-five of the world’s best luxury hoteliers on exactly what it takes to lead and manage some of the most legendary hotels and resorts.

Considered essential reading for current and future hotel managers, this book provides real-world case studies on recruiting, culture, technology, marketing, branding, and more to provide a comprehensive view of how to run an effective hospitality organization.

“A Wealth of Insights is a study in hard-earned leadership lessons from luxury hoteliers around the world. Mr. Kanani’s interviews take us behind the scenes of a complex industry – revealing the needs, behaviors, and demands of both guests and colleagues.” – Philip M. Barnes, Regional Vice President and Managing Director at the Savoy Hotel, London

16. Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business

Author: Danny Meyer

Goodreads Rating: 4.03 (5,920 ratings)

Published: 2006

Learn more about ‘ Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business. ‘

In this landmark book, Danny shares the lessons he learned while developing the dynamic philosophy he calls Enlightened Hospitality. The tenets of that philosophy, which emphasize strong in-house relationships as well as customer satisfaction, are applicable to anyone who works in any business.

While this book is geared toward restaurant management, it provides invaluable advice for all hospitality professionals on how to create meaningful connections with both customers and employees.

“A landmark, bestselling business book and a fascinating behind-the-scenes history of the creation of Danny’s most famous eating establishments, ‘Setting the Table’ is a treasure trove of valuable, innovative insights applicable to any business or organization.” – Time Magazine

These hotel management books are a great resource for general managers and owners to discover new ways of thinking to apply to their own properties. Constantly seeking out advice and knowledge from other leaders will not only help improve your business but will make you a better leader. Don’t hesitate to utilize outside resources such as the books in this list, technology partners, or other property owners to find inspiration on ways to continually improve your property.

About Lana Cook

Lana Cook is a Content Writer at Cloudbeds where she is able to combine her love of writing and passion for travel. She has spent the last few years writing about all things technology and the ways in which it can be used to help businesses thrive. When she’s not busy writing, you can find her checking out the latest movie or searching for a new TV show to binge.

More Reservations, Happier Guests. The Ultimate Guide for the Modern Hotelier

You might also be interested in..., what your hotel booking performance can tell you about demand patterns, the beginner’s guide to hotel room price optimization, navigating hotel rfps: how to win more group business.

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10 Must-Read Books on Hospitality Management

best book for tourism management

Whether you’re an experienced hospitality professional, an aspiring hospitality worker, or are earning a degree hospitality management , it always helps to stay up-to-date on the latest trends, strategies, and insights in the industry. Over the past few decades, as the hospitality business has increased its international presence and refined its operations, several stellar books have been published that cover some of these changes: from specialized handbooks on digital marketing strategy and e-commerce tourism, to personal memoirs, how-to guides, and breakdowns of the hospitality industry in general . Below, we’ve selected ten of the best books on hospitality management, with an eye diverse titles and areas of expertise. Check it out to find the right book for you!

Be Our Guest: Perfecting the Art of Customer Service , by Theodore Kinni

best book for tourism management

Leave it to Disney, the publisher of Be Our Guest , to distill the finer points of customer service and hospitality in clear, practical language for current and aspiring professionals in the field. Written by Theodore Kinni, the book’s key theme is exceeding expectations: know what your customer wants, and then double down. Customer service is the art, or in Disney parlance, the magic, of delivering something that is above and beyond the standard, creating an experience that is both unique and memorable. Mere satisfaction doesn’t develop brand loyalty – for that, you need something much more rare, but definitively superior. Needless to say, the book can be applied to any business practices, and Kinni has written or edited twenty books on various business topics: sales, marketing, and leadership, among them. But hospitality management is the target audience here, and industry professionals would do well to heed the advice.

  • Rating: 4.6 stars
  • Price: $11.99

Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business , by Danny Meyer

best book for tourism management

In the event you’re unfamiliar, Danny Meyer is worth listening to. In Setting the Table , the award-winning restauranteur of such successful New York hotspots as Union Square Cafe, Gramercy Tavern, and Shake Shack gives hospitality professionals and businesspeople in general an inside look at how he managed to build an empire in one of the most competitive industries and cities in the world. Namely, the book explains Meyer’s philosophy of “Enlightened Hospitality,” which emphasizes strong in-house relationships and high-quality customer service. Hospitality is like any other business: the product reflects the producers, and if your employees are unsatisfied, your customers will be too. Through personal anecdotes, lessons, and advice drawn from over thirty years of hospitality experience, this bestseller offers a clear roadmap to success for any business or organization.

  • Rating: 4.5 stars
  • Price: $11.89

The New Gold Standard: 5 Leadership Principles for Creating a Legendary Customer Experience Courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company , by Joseph Michelli

best book for tourism management

The Ritz Carlton is synonymous with world-class hospitality, perhaps more than any other brand in the world. In The New Gold Standard , bestselling-author Joseph Michelli outlines the Ritz’s singular approach to the hospitality business and the way to replicate it in your own business: understanding what the customer needs; understanding what employees need; how to exceed customer expectations; and how to develop a state-of-the-art employee training program. With behind-the-scenes access, practical how-to advice, and a clear implementation plan, The New Gold Standard offers hospitality managers and professionals a highly readable guide that’s full of nuanced insights and tips to help your organization reach the level of the Ritz.

  • Price: $15.31

The Heart of Hospitality: Great Hotel and Restaurant Leaders Share Their Secrets , by by Micah Solomon

best book for tourism management

Speaking of the Ritz, Company President and COO Herve Humler pens this praise in the forward to The Heart of Hospitality : “If you want to create and sustain a level of service so memorable that it becomes an unbeatable competitive advantage, you’ll find the secrets here.” Authored by Forbes.com contributor Micah Solomon, this book includes advice from some of the hospitality industry’s leading executives and business professionals: Virgin Hotels CEO Raul Leal; Craft Restaurants’ Top Chef Tom Colicchio; Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts Chairman Isadore Sharp; Union Square Hospitality Group CEO Danny Meyer; Le Bernardin Chef Eric Ripert; and Restaurateur Traci Des Jardins, among others. For a book of its length, just under 200 pages, you’re unlikely to find a more compelling, useful handbook to successful hospitality management and customer service — a must-have for hospitality workers at every level.

  • Rating: 4.8 stars
  • Price: $22.95

The Cornell School of Hotel Administration on Hospitality: Cutting Edge Thinking and Practice , edited by Michael C. Sturman, Jack B. Corgel, and Rohit Verma

best book for tourism management

Good luck finding a more comprehensive book on the hospitality industry: Cornell’s authorative tome comes in at 2 pounds and 500 pages. For the serious hospitality professional, especially managers and executives, this is the Bible of hospitality theory and practice; master’s candidates in Hospitality Management would do well to study it, too. In particular, the book covers: how to develop and manage a successful career in the multinational hospitality industry; how to maximize profits from franchise agreements, management contracts, and leases; understanding and predicting customer needs; motivating staff to provide superior customer service; managing hospitality real estate assets; and controlling costs and directing brand strategy. Founded in 1922, Cornell’s School Of Hotel Administration is widely considered to offer the best hospitality program in the world.

  • Rating: 4.4 stars
  • Price: $28.63

Hospitality Marketing Management , by Robert D. Reid and David C. Bojanic

best book for tourism management

Now in its 5th edition, Hospitality Marketing Management is the definitive guide to marketing campaigns in the hospitality business. The premise is simple enough: as with every other industry, innovation and technological advances have revolutionized the traditional business model for hospitality. In order to survive a global economy, hospitality managers and executives need to learn essential new marketing skills designed to target new customers, build brand loyalty among previous customers, and develop new revenue streams. Specifically, the book covers service and customer satisfaction in hospitality; promotion, advertising, and pricing strategies; tourism and destination marketing; internet marketing for hospitality; and consumer behavior, market segmentation, and positioning. As with the previous recommendation, this one is a biggie, tallying 670 pages, but as a general resource, it’s one of the best in its class.

  • Price: $18.99

Marketing for Hospitality and Tourism , by Philip T. Kotler, John T. Bowen, and James Makens

best book for tourism management

If you’re looking for an even more thorough guide than the above, Marketing for Hospitality and Tourism is another excellent resource book for hospitality professionals interested in marketing (and if we’re keeping score, this one has reached its 6th edition). Authored by three bestselling authors and experts in hospitality, the primary focus is on hotel marketing, offering real-world case studies, helpful application examples, practice exercises, and more to help students and professionals alike tackle the biggest challenges facing the global hospitality industry. Sixth edition features include social media coverage, current industry trends, and new hands-on assignments.

  • Rating: 4.1 stars
  • Price: $21.89

Hospitality Management: People Skills and Manners on and off the Job , by Lyn Pont

best book for tourism management

President and Founder of Manners for Business, Inc., Lyn Pont holds a PhD in Leadership and works as a motivational public speaker and educator. In Hospitality Management , she covers the essentials that hospitality executives, students, and new hires alike could all stand to remember: customer service, relationships, personal image and brand identity, integrity, communications, etiquette (team, dining, digital, and global) and much more. Contrary to some of the more technical manuals, this book emphasizes a return to hospitality basics, which ultimately comes down to the question of how we treat each other. In that regard, despite its title, the book applies to general readers and business professionals of all backgrounds. With endorsements from executives at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and American Airlines, Hospitality Management reminds us that good business and good manners go hand in hand.

  • Rating: 4.2 stars
  • Price: $21.95

Hospitality Strategic Management: Concepts and Cases , by Cathy A. Enz

best book for tourism management

Hospitality Strategic Management , now in its 2nd edition, is another highly useful, Swiss Army Knife of a hospitality book: equal parts textbook, resource guide, technical manual, and practice tool. Here you’ll find in-depth discussions on innovation, entrepreneurship, leadership, ethics, and franchising within the international hospitality industry, as well eight complete case studies that range from cruise and airlines, to lodging, gaming, food and beverage, and tourism e-commerce. Concluding each of the ten chapters, Enz features a helpful key points summary as well as review questions and critical thinking and application questions for further study.

  • Price: $19.44

Introduction to Revenue Management for the Hospitality Industry: Principles and Practices for the Real World , by Kimberly A. Tranter, Trevor Stuart-Hill, and Juston Parker

best book for tourism management

One of the more modestly-sized academic treatments of hospitality on our list, Revenue Management for the Hospitality Industry bills itself as a one-of-a-kind book, mapping the basics of hospitality revenue management process as well as strategies to effective planning, including development, implementation, and evaluation. In addition to highlighting revenue manager skills , the book also provides a unique history of the field, followed by chapters on customer knowledge and consumer behavior, market segmentation and selection, internal assessment and competitive analysis, economic principles and demand forecasting, dynamic value-based pricing, and the revenue management team, among others. Readable, informative, and compelling, the book should serve as an important resource for the developing field.

  • Price: $55.78

best book for tourism management

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17 Best Hospitality Management Books For Hotel Managers

Discover the power of the best hospitality management books, curated from years of industry practice and extensive reading. These books delve into guest relations nuances and forward-thinking strategies.

HOT-hospitality-management-books-featured-image-1507

In my years of delving deep into the world of hospitality management—both in practice and in literature—I've come to realize just how transformative the right book can be. I've spent countless hours with my nose in books, sifting through the intricacies of our industry. From the nuances of guest relations to the innovative strategies that propel our services forward, each book offers a unique lens.

17 Best Hospitality Management Books

Having explored numerous titles, I've curated a list of the best books that address the pressing challenges in hospitality management.

  • Introduction to Hospitality by John R. Walker
  • Hotel Management and Operations by Michael J. O'Fallon and Denney G. Rutherford
  • The Heart of Hospitality: Great Hotel and Restaurant Leaders Share Their Secrets by Micah Solomon
  • Revenue Management for the Hospitality Industry by David K. Hayes and Allisha A. Miller
  • The New Gold Standard by Joseph Michelli
  • Setting the Table by Danny Meyer
  • Hospitality Strategic Management: Concepts and Cases by Cathy A. Enz
  • Professional Management of Housekeeping Operations by Thomas J. A. Jones
  • The Cornell School of Hotel Administration on Hospitality by Michael C. Sturman, Jack B. Corgel, and Rohit Verma
  • Principles of Hotel Front Office Operations by Sue Baker, Pam Bradley, and Jeremy Huyton
  • Hospitality and Travel Marketing by Alastair M. Morrison
  • Check-In Check-Out by Gary Vallen and Jerome Vallen
  • Cases in Hospitality Management by Timothy R. Hinkin
  • Hospitality Sales and Marketing by James R. Abbey
  • Hospitality Branding by Chekitan S. Dev
  • Revenue Management Made Easy by Ira Vouk
  • 100 Tips for Hoteliers by Peter Venison

Overviews Of The 17 Best Hospitality Management Books

Here’s a quick summary of each book, what you’ll learn, and why you should read it, plus a quote I like from the book. I added the author’s LinkedIn and other places to connect with them online.

1. Introduction to Hospitality by John R. Walker

Introduction to Hospitality management book

Summary: This comprehensive hospitality book delves into the vibrant world of hospitality, examining its diverse sectors and their unique characteristics.

What You'll Learn: The intricacies of various hospitality sectors, fundamentals of top-notch service, and the current challenges and opportunities in the industry.

Why You Should Read It: A foundational understanding of the hospitality industry, perfect for newcomers and seasoned professionals seeking to update their knowledge.

Quote From The Book: "Success in hospitality is not about mastering the service but mastering the experience."

About The Author: John R. Walker is a recognized authority in hospitality management. Explore more about his works on his Amazon portfolio.

2. Hotel Management and Operations by Michael J. O'Fallon and Denney G. Rutherford

Hotel Management and Operations hospitality management book

Summary: A deep dive into the operational aspects of running a hotel, from front-of-house to back-of-house.

What You'll Learn: Best practices in hotel management, risk management strategies, and the evolution of hotel operations in the digital age.

Why You Should Read It: A hands-on guide for anyone interested in the ins and outs of hotel management and operations.

Quote From The Book: "In hotel management, it's not just about rooms—it's about creating memorable moments."

About The Author: Michael J. O'Fallon and Denney G. Rutherford have collectively shaped the landscape of hospitality education.

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3. The Heart of Hospitality: Great Hotel and Restaurant Leaders Share Their Secrets by Micah Solomon

The Heart of Hospitality: Great Hotel and Restaurant Leaders Share Their Secrets hospitality management book

Summary: A collection of wisdom from the stalwarts of the hospitality industry, unveiling the secrets behind leading successful hotels and restaurants.

What You'll Learn: Leadership lessons from hospitality magnates, strategies to enhance guest experience, and the value of personal touch in the age of digitization.

Why You Should Read It: For restaurateurs keen on understanding the essence of true hospitality, this book provides a blend of storytelling and practical advice from industry professionals.

Quote From The Book: "Great hospitality doesn’t start with a smile; it begins with understanding the heartbeats behind every guest."

About The Author: Micah Solomon is renowned for his leadership in perfecting the art of customer service and the hospitality domain. Discover his professional journey on LinkedIn , stay updated with his thoughts on social media, Twitter , or dive into his expertise on his website .

4. Revenue Management for the Hospitality Industry by David K. Hayes and Allisha A. Miller

Revenue Management for the Hospitality Industry hospitality management book

Summary: A thorough exploration of revenue management tailored for the hospitality industry, highlighting strategies to maximize profitability without compromising on guest experience.

What You'll Learn: Fundamental concepts of revenue management, pricing strategies tailored for hospitality, and tactics to drive revenue growth in competitive markets.

Why You Should Read It: An indispensable guide for hospitality professionals seeking to blend financial acumen with guest-centric service delivery.

Quote From The Book: "Optimal revenue isn't about price hikes; it's about delivering value at every price point."

About The Author: David K. Hayes and Allisha A. Miller bring a blend of academic rigor and industry experience.

5. The New Gold Standard: 5 Leadership Principles for Creating a Legendary Customer Experience by Joseph Michelli

best book for tourism management

Summary: A deep dive into the principles that underpin legendary customer experiences, inspired by the practices of leading global brands.

What You'll Learn: Five pivotal leadership principles, strategies to consistently deliver superior customer experiences, and insights on fostering brand loyalty.

Why You Should Read It: For entrepreneur looking to elevate their brand or hotel brands to legendary status in the eyes of their customers.

Quote From The Book: "True leadership is crafting experiences that remain etched in customers' memories."

About The Author: Joseph Michelli is a renowned expert on customer experience and brand loyalty. Get to know him better on LinkedIn , follow his expert opinions on Twitter , and delve deeper into his works on his website .

6. Setting the Table by Danny Meyer

Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business hospitality management book

Summary: Danny Meyer shares his wisdom on the transformative power of hospitality, emphasizing its significance not just in restaurants but in every business domain.

What You'll Learn: The ethos of 'enlightened hospitality', strategies for building lasting customer relationships, and Meyer's unique philosophy on entrepreneurship success.

Why You Should Read It: A revelation for anyone in business, like hotel owners, this book showcases how genuine hospitality can be a game-changer in any industry.

Quote From The Book: "At the heart of every business lies the simple act of making people feel special."

About The Author: Danny Meyer, a titan in the restaurant management industry, has redefined hospitality and tourism business. Engage with him on LinkedIn , stay tuned to his updates on Twitter , and learn more about his journey.

7. Hospitality Strategic Management: Concepts and Cases by Cathy A. Enz

Hospitality Strategic Management: Concepts and Cases book cover

Summary: Enz presents an in-depth analysis of strategic management tailored for the hospitality sector, enriched with real-world cases and scenarios.

What You'll Learn: The nuances of strategic planning in the hospitality world, application of core management principles, and critical evaluation of real industry cases.

Why You Should Read It: For those seeking a fusion of theory and practice in hospitality management, this bestseller book bridges the gap effectively.

Quote From The Book: "Strategic thinking in hospitality isn't just planning—it's envisioning the future."

About The Author: Cathy A. Enz is a luminary in strategic hospitality management. Engage with her insights and professional experiences on LinkedIn or visit her Twitter .

8. Professional Management of Housekeeping Operations by Thomas J. A. Jones

Professional Management of Housekeeping Operations book

Summary: Jones delves into the realm of housekeeping operations, highlighting its importance and detailing professional management techniques.

What You'll Learn: Operational aspects of housekeeping, the role of housekeeping in customer satisfaction, and advanced strategies to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

Why You Should Read It: A must-read for those involved in hotel business operations, offering a comprehensive guide to mastering housekeeping management.

Quote From The Book: "In the heart of hospitality, housekeeping is more than cleaning—it's creating a home away from home."

About The Author: Thomas J. A. Jones is a seasoned expert in housekeeping operations and its nuances.

9. The Cornell School of Hotel Administration on Hospitality by Michael C. Sturman, Jack B. Corgel, and Rohit Verma

The Cornell School of Hotel Administration on Hospitality book cover

Summary: This book amalgamates insights from leading industry experts at the Cornell School of Hotel Administration, providing a comprehensive overview of modern hospitality practices.

What You'll Learn: Key leadership principles in hospitality, innovations shaping the future of the hotel and tourism industry, and a multidimensional approach to guest satisfaction.

Why You Should Read It: Gleaned from the minds of industry leaders, this compilation provides unparalleled insights into the hospitality industry's evolving landscape and industry trends.

Quote From The Book: "Learning from the past, innovating for the future—that's the Cornell approach to hospitality."

About The Author: Michael C. Sturman, Jack B. Corgel, and Rohit Verma are pillars of the Cornell School of Hotel Administration. Connect with Michael on LinkedIn , engage with Jack's expertise on LinkedIn , and delve into Rohit's contributions on his LinkedIn .

10. Principles of Hotel Front Office Operations by Sue Baker, Pam Bradley, and Jeremy Huyton

Principles of Hotel Front Office Operations hospitality management book

Summary: A deep dive into the intricacies of hotel front office operations, elucidating the principles that guide successful hotel management.

What You'll Learn: Key elements that make a hotel's front office function efficiently, the art of guest interactions, and the metrics that measure operational success.

Why You Should Read It: A foundational read for hoteliers, offering insights and techniques for ensuring that the heart of the hotel—its front office—runs smoothly.

Quote From The Book: "The front office is where first impressions are made, and lasting relationships begin."

About The Author: Sue Baker, Pam Bradley, and Jeremy Huyton are seasoned professionals in the world of hotel management.

11. Hospitality and Travel Marketing by Alastair M. Morrison

Hospitality and Travel Marketing book cover

Summary: Morrison presents an exhaustive guide to the world of hospitality and travel marketing, tapping into strategies that drive success.

What You'll Learn: Emerging trends in travel marketing, leveraging digital platforms for brand visibility, and crafting campaigns that resonate with target audiences.

Why You Should Read It: A comprehensive look at marketing tailored for the hospitality and travel niche, making it a staple for professionals in the sector.

Quote From The Book: "In the world of travel, the right marketing strategy can turn wanderers into loyal customers."

About The Author: Alastair M. Morrison is a stalwart in the field of hospitality marketing. Delve deeper into his expertise and journey in the industry on LinkedIn .

12. Check-In Check-Out by Gary Vallen and Jerome Vallen

Check-In Check-Out: Managing Hotel Operations book cover

Summary: The Vallen duo unpacks the essentials of managing hotel operations, with a keen focus on efficiency, guest satisfaction, and profitability.

What You'll Learn: Operational challenges faced by hotels, strategies for optimal resource allocation, and methodologies to enhance guest experiences.

Why You Should Read It: With its holistic approach to hotel management, this book is a treasure trove of insights for budding and seasoned hoteliers alike.

Quote From The Book: "Successful hotel operations are a blend of seamless processes and heartfelt guest interactions."

About The Author: Gary Vallen and Jerome Vallen are luminaries in hotel operational management. Connect with Gary's professional journey on LinkedIn .

13. Cases in Hospitality Management by Timothy R. Hinkin

Cases in Hospitality Management: A Critical Incident Approach hospitality management book

Summary: Hinkin crafts a unique journey through the hospitality landscape, using critical incidents as a lens to examine and understand management challenges.

What You'll Learn: Real-world incidents that have shaped the hospitality industry, how they were managed, and lessons that future professionals can derive from them.

Why You Should Read It: The case-based approach offers readers a chance to critically think about solutions while learning from past incidents, making it invaluable for aspiring general managers.

Quote From The Book: "In every challenge lies an opportunity to learn, grow, and lead."

About The Author: Timothy R. Hinkin is a distinguished figure in the realm of hospitality management, with a penchant for dissecting real-world scenarios. Delve into his expertise and insights on LinkedIn .

14. Hospitality Sales and Marketing by James R. Abbey

Hospitality Sales and Marketing book cover

Summary: Abbey breaks down the dynamic world of hospitality sales and marketing, presenting strategies that align with modern guest expectations.

What You'll Learn: Tactics to drive sales in the hospitality sector, digital marketing's role in creating brand visibility, and methodologies to convert inquiries into loyal customers.

Why You Should Read It: For those keen on understanding the sales and marketing interplay in hospitality, this book serves as an exhaustive guide.

Quote From The Book: "Marketing isn't just about being seen—it's about being remembered."

About The Author: James R. Abbey, with his depth of experience in hotel marketing, offers readers a blend of strategy and real-world examples.

15. Hospitality Branding by Chekitan S. Dev

Hospitality Branding hospitality management book

Summary: Dev delves deep into the concept of branding within the hospitality industry, showcasing how a strong brand can significantly influence guest choices.

What You'll Learn: The pillars of a robust hospitality brand, strategies for brand differentiation, and the role of brand identity in guest retention.

Why You Should Read It: In an industry where every detail matters, understanding how to craft and maintain a brand identity is paramount—making this read essential.

Quote From The Book: "A brand isn't just a logo—it's a promise and an experience."

About The Author: Chekitan S. Dev stands as an authority on hospitality branding. Dive into his wealth of knowledge and extensive industry experience on LinkedIn .

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17 best hotel conferences for hoteliers in 2024, the 19 best hotel podcasts of 2024, 12 best hospitality conferences to help you innovate in 2024, 16. revenue management made easy by ira vouk.

Revenue Management Made Easy hospitality management book

Summary: Ira Vouk demystifies the complex world of revenue management, offering a clear, step-by-step guide for those aiming to master this crucial aspect of the hospitality industry.

What You'll Learn: The core principles of revenue management, techniques to optimize pricing strategies, and relevant hotel management tools to forecast demand effectively.

Why You Should Read It: As revenue management becomes an essential skill for hoteliers, this book serves as an indispensable guide to mastering its nuances.

Quote From The Book: "In the rhythm of demand and supply, finding the right tune is the art of revenue management."

About The Author: Ira Vouk is a leading voice in hospitality revenue management. Delve into her expertise, methodologies, and innovative approaches on LinkedIn or visit her website .

17. 100 Tips for Hoteliers by Peter Venison

100 Tips for Hoteliers: What Every Successful Hotel Professional Needs to Know and Do book cover

Summary: Peter Venison brings to the table a treasure trove of tips, derived from years of hands-on experience, to help hotel professionals elevate their game.

What You'll Learn: Tangible insights on guest service, operational efficiency, and leadership, alongside invaluable advice to navigate the ever-evolving hospitality landscape.

Why You Should Read It: Packed with actionable tips, this book is a handy manual for both newcomers and seasoned professionals in the hotel industry.

Quote From The Book: "Every guest interaction is an opportunity to create a lasting impression."

About The Author: Peter Venison, with his rich tapestry of experiences in the hospitality world, offers readers a blend of wisdom and practicality.

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5 Sustainable Tourism Books You Must Read

best book for tourism management

Sustainable tourism aims to simultaneously serve the needs of tourists and host communities, protecting and expanding opportunities for the future . To promote sustainable tourism is to manage all the resources involved in tourism, in such a way that economic, social and environmental needs can be met without neglecting the maintenance of cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity and the systems that guarantee the life. In this light, this article gives you 5 books you absolutely must read in order to understand sustainable tourism.

1. Sustainable Tourism Management, by John Swarbrooke

This book is the product of the concept of sustainable development, and it has attracted international attention because it is a reaction to the problems generated by the practice of “ predatory tourism “, which has caused so much damage to the environmental, historical and cultural heritage of several countries.

one of the best books about Sustainable Tourism Management

2. Consumer Behavior in Tourism: An International Perspective, by Susan Horner and John Swarbrooke

This work is essential for students, tourism professionals and tourists in general and not just for the reflection that the title itself provokes. The authors also make a complete survey of the continents and their attractions as well as the cultural differences between them. For these reasons, this book becomes an essential tool to understand the rapid transformations of this valuable market to update your information and ideal to optimize your infinite opportunities.

Consumer Behavior in Tourism, one of the sustainable tourism books you must read

3. Sustainable Tourism in Island Destinations, by Sonya Graci and Rachel Dodds

Building on existing literature on the topic, this book offers creative discussions and realistic management frameworks through the use of various island design works outlined by the authors. Most of the world’s islands depend on tourism as their principal source of income. For long-term sustainability it is therefore imperative that such destinations are handled. The natural beauty of a destination is usually one of its key tourism-related properties, but the natural environment is perhaps the resource most directly affected by possible overexploitation.

Book about Sustainable Tourism in Island Destinations

4. Overbooked: The Exploding Business of Travel and Tourism, by Elizabeth Becker

This book explains that excess reservations are a reality of the economy of tourism, and how it impacts various countries. Each chapter is grouped according to a theme and a given country is highlighted as a case study within each theme. The outcome is an easy-to-read book that doesn’t appear to be packed with too much detail.

Overbooked, one of the books to read about sustainable tourism

5. Taking Responsibility for Tourism, by Harold Goodwin

Goodwin’s book is about the vitally significant global need for sustainable tourism. To those who plan to travel, and for those who consume, this is an incredibly significant obstacle. This is the most comprehensive contemporary analysis of the key issues crucial to the advancement of responsible tourism and has been written by one of the leading thinkers responsible for reforms in the sector. It extends the wider definition of travel and tourism obligation and analyzes how it relates to sustainable business and transparency business case.

book about sustainable tourism

If, on the one hand, predatory tourism can lead to the depletion of natural resources, as well as cultural de-characterization and social imbalance, sustainable tourism is composed of the same pillars of sustainable development: economic efficiency, social justice and ecological prudence.

In addition, sustainable tourism aims to strengthen tourism activity in the long term, based on environmental and cultural preservation that qualifies the tourist destination , generating permanent social benefits .

It is up to us, as travelers, businessmen, leaders or authorities, to think about how we can promote tourism that contributes to the well-being , quality of life and appreciation of the culture of the communities, environmental balance and preservation and the economic sustainability of both small and big entrepreneurs.

Cover image: Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

best book for tourism management

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10 Books Everyone in the Hospitality Industry Should Read

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Hospitality books can inspire you. These can help you, as a hotelier, to gain new perspectives and learn from the wisdom and success of others in the industry.

However, with the plethora of options to choose from and the daily demands of the job, hoteliers might find it difficult to not only identify the hospitality books worth reading but also to find the time to read them.

We are here to take some of the guesswork out of it for you. We’ve sorted through classic titles and reviewed recent publications to compose a list of must-read books for hospitality professionals.

10 must-read books for hospitality professionals

Anyone in the hospitality business — from a front-desk clerk to a seasoned hotelier — can appreciate the quality of the insights found within these pages. With a range of hotel-related topics and narrative styles to choose from, there’s a hospitality book for everyone on this list. Have a look:

Be Our Guest: Perfecting the Art of Customer Service

Book by the Disney Institute

Be our Guest talks about the magic of Walt Disney World and how every guest is made to experience it through exceptional customer service. This book reveals the behind-the-scenes strategies, process, and principles, of the Disney approach of exceeding customers’ expectations . Even the real cast members of Disney Institute agree that this book captures the real essence of the magical customer service provided at Walt Disney World. As a hospitality professional, you’ll see new possibilities of providing quality service through concepts not found in the typical workplace. It’ll make you realize how everything should be of the highest quality and should be done while keeping customers’ needs in mind.

Without Reservations: How a Family Root Beer Stand Grew into a Global Hotel Company

Book by Bill Marriott and Kathi Ann Brown

Even though Marriott is now one of the largest hotel chains in the world, few people know that it began as a humble family business. Without Reservations, by Bill Marriott, Jr., the founder’s son, is extremely insightful for hospitality professionals as it maps out the road that led the family to triumph in the hotel industry. Bill Marriott passes down his father’s industry know-how along with tips for future generations involved in hospitality. This book is full of savvy learnings and management insights for everyone, no matter what sort of property or business they run. For example, Marriott suggests knowing exactly who your competition is and what they do at their core so that you can out-maneuver them.

Promote your website rates to drive more bookings.

Down and out in paris and london.

Book by George Orwell

We recommend this atypical memoir from the 1930s not only for its literary merit and classic Orwellian entertainment value but also for two other reasons. First, it’s relatable, especially for those in the hotel business who have worked their way up the hospitality ladder. Second, it forces you to think about all levels of staff and staff dynamics, thereby making you reflect on how hotel functions like a machine with many busy and interdependent components.

The Heart of Hospitality: Great Hotel and Restaurant Leaders Share Their Secrets

Book by Micah Solomon

Talking about a hotel’s ‘heart’, The Heart of Hospitality shares customer-service procedures with which hoteliers can establish a connection with their guests.  While facilities and a good location certainly help a hotel, what’s most important for every hotel is to have a ‘heart’. In this book, Micah Solomon reinforces one theme: Exceptional customer service should be a process, not an exception. According to him, forming and maintaining that ‘heart’ entails attending to a lot of minor details to ensure your guests enjoy exceptional customer experience. This book will provide a lot of options for hoteliers and hospitality professionals who are looking for practical and useful ways to improve customer experience .

Overbooked: The Exploding Business of Travel and Tourism

Book by Elizabeth Becker

In Overbooked, Becker explores the way global influences are impacting travel economically, politically, and culturally. And it’s sensational. It underscores the importance of focusing on the details to deliver a superb customer experience — especially crucial in this industry, given the nature of hospitality. If you want to grow your business, or simply challenge your way of thinking and open up your mind to new concepts within the context of global travel, this book is for you.

Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business

Book by Danny Meyer

We recommend this book because its innovative, valuable insights can be applied to any organization or business of any size. Danny Meyer started Union Square Café in 1985 at the age of 27 and now, he is one of the most successful restaurateurs in the US. The book explains his secret to success in the hospitality industry. You’ll learn about the dynamic philosophy of Enlightened Hospitality in this book, which focuses not only on providing exceptional customer satisfaction, but also fostering strong in-house relationships. If you’re a hotelier or a hotel manager, or even a leader or a manager in any company, this book will help you become more productive.

The New Gold Standard: 5 Leadership Principles for Creating a Legendary Customer Experience Courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company

Book by Joseph Michelli

When it comes to delivering stellar customer service, no one does it better than the Ritz-Carlton. Guests sing the hotel’s praises and they keep coming back and generating strong word-of-mouth. What’s most remarkable about Ritz-Carlton is the autonomy they grant their staff. It’s a practice that ensures remarkable service for guests and is indicative of incredible leadership in management, as well. This leadership book is as much about empowering employees as it is about leaving guests feeling special, thereby leading to a highly recognizable hotel brand.

7 Easy Ways to Show Your Employees You Care!: A Booklet for Hotel Managers and Others

Book by Jokima Hiller

We highly recommend 7 EASY Ways to Show Your Employees YOU Care to anyone who is a hotelier or a manager. Lack of appreciation is one of the major reasons why employees feel dissatisfied and leave their jobs. While doing business on a daily basis, we sometimes forget to show our employees how important they are to us. This booklet will help you realize how important your employees are as they’re the face of your hospitality business. In order to make your employees happy, you need to connect with them. The author shares her real-life experiences in this handy, little guide that will help you show thoughtfulness, compassion, and concern to your employees.

100 Tips for Hoteliers: What Every Successful Hotel Professional Needs to Know and Do

Book by Peter Venison

This is a bestseller and is already known as a must-read among industry professionals. Venison has lived a colorful life with over three decades of experience in the hotel business. Starting off in his teenage years, almost by accident, he entered into a hospitality school. Soon after, he began working his way from the bottom up and went on to lead some of the most prestigious companies in the business. He combines this experience with his avid travels and provides a robust set of tips and ideas for any hotelier to take and adapt to their own space.

A Wealth of Insight: The World’s Best Luxury Hoteliers on Leadership, Management, and the Future of 5-Star Hospitality

Book by Rahim B. Kanani

This book lives up to its name. It truly is a wealth of insight acquired through a profoundly rich deep dive into luxury hospitality on a global scale. A journalist who regularly interviews high-profile executives, entrepreneurs, and hoteliers for major media, Kanani spoke with over thirty-five of the world’s best luxury hoteliers to gather material for this book. With insights into staff recruiting, hotel marketing , technology, branding, personalization, the most significant trends shaping the sector, and more, this book is undoubtedly a must-read for all aspiring and established luxury hotel owners, managers, and marketers.

Bonus recommendation

12 golden keys to hospitality excellence.

Book by Frank H. Benzakour

Strategies are key to any business. In fact, F.H. Benzakour, a professor of Contemporary Club Management at Fairleigh Dickinson University, has 12 for you to learn—from celebrating staff diversity to innovating rather than dying. Benzakour’s extensive 25+ years in the hospitality industry translates into invaluable insights and techniques that hotel managers and owners can integrate into the running of their properties. If you’re looking to feel inspired again as well as gain a different perspective of your property in this new travel era, then this book could easily be the next addition to your bookshelf.

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Tourism Teacher

The best travel and tourism reading list

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Having a travel and tourism reading list is important, whether you are a teacher, a student, or a tourist.

The key to success is knowledge. And where better to look than books? Having a travel and tourism reading list is a great idea whether you are a student, an entrepreneur or a travel enthusiast.

In this article I have outlined a number of essential and recommended texts covering a range of travel and tourism-related topics. These are the perfect additions to any travel and tourism reading list.

The first list is intended for travel and tourism students and teachers. The second list is useful for people working in the tourism industry, especially those who run their own business or who are managers. The third list offers practical guidance for travellers. The final list provides my recommendations for leisurely reading that will inspire your wanderlust!

Tourism: Principles and Practice

The business of tourism, tourism: a modern synthesis, worldwide destinations: the geography of travel and tourism, the geography of tourism and recreation: environment, place and space, the escape industry: how iconic and innovative brands built the travel business.

  • Travel Agent Training: How to become a Home Based Travel Agent” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Travel Agent Training: How to become a Home Based Travel Agent
  • Optimize YOUR Bnb: The Definitive Guide to Ranking #1 in Airbnb Search

How to Start and Run a B&B

The small business start-up workbook: a step-by-step guide to starting the business you’ve dreamed, the idea in you: how to find it, build it, and change your life, travel the world on $50 a day, the responsible tourist, the family travel handbook, the camper van bible, your money or your life, bush craft 101, travel anywhere (and avoid being a tourist): travel trends and destination inspiration for the modern adventurer, eat, pray, love, down under: travels in a sunburned country, how to be a family, sand in my bra, without you there is no us, first they killed my father, sihpromatum – i grew my boobs in china, the alchemist, travel and tourism reading list: your recommendations, my travel and tourism reading list.

Below you will find a list of the best books in the business. Not got a huge budget? Not to worry! Abe Books is a great website selling discounted second-hand books- just use the search option to see if they have what you’re after. Otherwise, I have no doubt you will find your books on Amazon.

Academic-based tourism texts

adult blur books close up

The reading material needed for each travel and tourism course will differ slightly. However, there are some key tests that are largely relevant for the majority of programmes. Below, I have outlined some of the key texts

This is the ultimate beginner’s guide for any travel and tourism student and is on almost every university travel and tourism reading list.

This book covers all of the core travel and tourism management subjects and the explanations are clear and easy to understand.

There are multiple editions, so if you’r budget is tight, opt for an older copy to save a few pennies!

This book is an essential text for students of tourism management or travel and tourism.

It provides background theory and research that is easy to understand. It also has lots of relevant and current case studies.

The world is changing and evolving quickly and the tourism industry must keep up.

This book looks at the modern-day issues that are effecting the travel and tourism industry. It examines new and emerging markets and disruptive technologies such as the sharing economy , low cost airlines and e-travel. It also includes current debates on sustainable tourism , future jobs in travel and tourism and generational marketing.

Every travel and tourism reading list should have a geography-based element, because geography is such an important part of travel!

This book is great because it explores the concepts of tourism demand and supply for a comprehensive range of destinations and every country worldwide.

This book is essential reading for any travel and tourism student!

Another geography-based text, this book combines management theory with a range of geographical case-studies around the world.

Practical tourism management guides

ethnic young woman using laptop while having tasty beverage in modern street cafe

There are some really handy tourism management guides on the market at the moment. These are perfect for those who are considering a career in travel and tourism or for people who are looking to climb the career ladder.

If you are thinking about starting up your own business in the tourism industry then these books are must-haves! The tips and advice given in these texts are invaluable- they will help to save you time and make you money!

Here are my recommendations-

The travel and tourism industry is fun and dynamic. And there are endless opportunities to businesses: travel is a hugely competitive, multi-million pound industry and marketers of all sectors can learn important lessons from it.

From mass tourism to business tourism to specialist tourism, there are some fundamental principles to setting up and running a business in the tourism industry.

This book presents an expert view of travel marketing and branding (and loads of helpful advice), focusing particularly on how travel has been transformed for both consumers and providers since the beginning of the 21st century.

Traditional travel agents are fast becoming a thing of the past. High street stores are exchanged for home-based working. Many of the big travel agencies (Thomas Cook, Lunn Poly, Monarch to name a few) no longer exist. There have never been so many opportunities to work online and to be your own boss as there are right now. The evolution of the internet and the reduction in competition means that the marketplace is wide open. But being an online travel agent isn’t something you can do without any training! This book teaches you the fundamentals of setting up your businesses and how to be successful. Optimize YOUR Bnb: The Definitive Guide to Ranking #1 in Airbnb Search

Want to get rich quick? Airbnb could be the way to go!

There are plenty of people who are making decent sums of money each year from Airbnb. But it is a competitive market and if you want to succeed, you need to know how!

This book is written by Danny, who claims to be the best in the world at Airbnb. His book teaches you how to optimise your listing, leverage tools to automate your workload, undertake interior design without paying premium rates, navigate the slow season and identify and solve guest issues.

Owning a B&B is the dream of many…but where do you start?

This book teaches you all the basics in order to run a successful bed and breakfast business. It looks at types of customers, financial tools, preparing your home, marketing your property and managing profit.

Whatever business you are considering running/starting, the small business start up workbook will help you to be successful.

This practical and comprehensive workbook is packed with real-life case studies and practical exercises, checklists and worksheets, it provides a step-by-step guide to researching and formulating your business ideas, planning the right marketing strategies, and managing a team that will drive your vision forward with you.

Whilst not specific to tourism management, this book is a great addition to any travel and tourism reading list.

Do you have an idea in you? A hobby, a project, a product … something that could change your life? The Idea in You will help you to formulate a business plan and turn your idea into a reality.

Travel tips and advice

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If you love travelling then you will love these books, which offer heaps of helpful travel tips and advice. I’ve read lots of these types of books and consolidated a list of my favourites below.

Not everyone travels on a budget, but most of us can’t resist saving money and getting a great bargain!

Matt Kepnes is one of my favourite travel bloggers. Specialising in budget travel, he has put together this brilliant guide on how to travel the world without breaking the bank. He offers some really helpful tips and advice from how to find the best bargains to using air miles to avoiding paying bank fees abroad.

Travel takes us to see wonderful places around the world, but sadly, it also helps to destroy those places.

This book is a fantastic guide which teaches you how you can offset the damage caused by travelling and help the local communities, economies and environments that you visit.

By being a sustainable tourist , you will feel better about your travels and help to preserve the places that you are visiting for future generations.

Travelling as a family has created my most special and favourite memories. My kids get so much out of travelling- after all, travel is the best education, so they say!

But travelling with small kids isn’t always easy. You need to adapt your travel habits and revise plans to suit the children. Your luggage will double in size. You will experience issues and dramas that had never crossed your mind pre-kids.

This book is great because it gives plenty of tips and advice about how best to travel with kids. A must-read for any avid travellers who are planning to start a family soon and for families who are yet to embrace life on the road.

Ever dreamed of travelling in a camper van? What an amazing experience, huh! But, there is a lot to learn if you’re going to do it properly…

Martin Dorey, acknowledged camper van expert and presenter of BBC2’s ‘One Man and His Campervan’, delves headfirst into the nitty gritty of camping and camper vans in this book, which makes a perfect addition to any camper glovebox.

In this book he covers four main areas of-

-Owning and living day to day with a camper van (LIVE)  – Cooking and eating in your camper (EAT)  – Sleeping in your camper (SLEEP)  – Keeping you and your van going (REPEAT)

Whilst this book is not directly about travelling, it does provide invaluable tips about how to manage your money. And more money=more travel, right?

This book is 5star rated on Amazon. It covers getting out of debt, developing savings, reordering material priorities, living well for less, resolving inner conflicts between values and lifestyle, saving the planet while saving money and much more.

If getting out and about amongst nature is your thing then you will love Bushcraft 101. Whether you’re the next Bear Grylls or trying your hand at glamping, there are many helpful tips and tricks in this guide.

Written by survivalist expert Dave Canterbury, this guide is based on the 5Cs of Survivability-cutting tools, covering, combustion devices, containers, and cordages. This guide teaches you the most important survival skills to use in a range of outdoor contexts.

Whilst I fundamentally disagree with the title (if you are travelling for leisure then you ARE a tourist , no matter what you do- and there is nothing wrong with that!), this book does offer some pretty handy tips.

This book presents a range of stories and anecdotes to help teach you how to make the most out of your travel experiences, get off the beaten paths and have a deep and meaningful experience.

Books to inspire wanderlust

man wearing sunglasses reading book on body of water

Whether you are looking for a good holiday book or some night time reading, there is nothing better (in my opinion) than a book which inspires your inner wanderlust!

I personally love to snuggle up in bed on a cold winter’s evening when my next trip away is a distant dream and immerse myself in the adventures of others. Here are some of my favourites that I have read over the years. Some of these pop up on most ‘must read’ travel lists and others are lesser-known books that I have come across on my travels.

Alex Garland’s, The Beach, has a lot to answer for!

This is is one of the most popular travel books of all time and one of my all-time favourites. It is also the reason for the occurrence of overtourism in Maya Bay, Thailand and its subsequent temporary closure.

The Beach, later made into a film starring Leonardo Dicaprio, is based on the [once] pristine beach in Maya Bay, Thailand . When people started reading about this perfect, unspoilt beach , they bagan to flock there in their hundreds and thousands. Fast forward a decade or two and the area was filled with litter and flora and fauna dying. The beach has been closed to tourists to allow for rejuvenation in 2018 indefinitely.

Despite the current state of ‘The Beach’, the book itself is a fantastic read. It details the search for unspoilt lands and the life that these backpackers live when they find them. It is an absolute must-read for anyone who has caught ‘the travel bug’!

Another one of my favourites is Eat, Pray, Love. This book has also been made into a film , starring Julia Roberts. I am a massive fan, so much so that I think there was a time in my life when I watched this film at least twice a week!

Eat, Pray, Love documents a woman’s journey through Italy , India and Bali. On a journey of self-discovery (as many of us are during our travels at some point or another), this book takes you with her on an emotional and philosophical level.

Whilst this book may resonate more with women than men (my husband certainly isn’t a fan!), it is well worth a watch and will definitely spark some inner wanderlust!

Bryson’s Down Under is one of the best travel books I have ever read. I have vivid memories of starting to read it whilst laying in bed in my hostel in Sydney and finishing it shortly after I left Australia whilst in the Gili Islands .

This book is funny and informative- two criteria to make an excellent read! I learnt so much about Australia in this book, from the history of colonialism in the area to what life is like in the outback. This book really complimented my travels and helped to me to understand and appreciate what I was seeing and experiencing so much more.

If there is one book that you MUST read when travelling down under, it’s this one!

If, like many parents, you are nervous about travelling with your kids then read this!

How to be a Family is a funny memoir of a family round the world trip. It shows that travelling with kids doesn’t have to be stressful or cost the earth.

This one’s for the girls! Sand in my Bra is a hilarious collection of tales from females who have travelled all over the world from Alaska to Zanzibar. It’s a light-hearted read that will be sure to make you laugh. And I definitely have a few stories of my own that could be added to the collection…

This book gives you a sneak peak into a place that you will likely never travel to- North Korea . OK, so there are a few tours to the country but these are completely inauthentic , heavily censored and somewhat dangerous (one step wrong and you’re in a North Korean prison for the rest of your life…).

This book is a real page turner. It tells the story of Suki Kim, who travels to North Korea as an English teacher to learn about her heritage and culture . This book provides insights into the world’s most secretive country, many of which will shock you.

I definitely recommend this book if you plan to visit South Korea. No trip to Korea is complete without a trip to the DMZ and this book gives you some excellent background knowledge before you go.

I was sold this book by a street seller as I got off a bus upon my arrival in Cambodia. Prior to reading this book I knew little about the Khmer Rouge regime and about the country that I had just arrived in.

Whilst this book has many moments which are sad and scary, it really enabled me to develop a thorough understanding of the horrors that were suffered just three decades earlier. Yes, you can read guidebooks and information plaques, but hearing it through the words of a child who has lived through this time is something pretty special.

This is a book that I am currently reading at the moment and I am loving it so far! I grew my boobs in China is the story of a family’s four year backpacking adventure, as told by teenager Savannah Grace. Initially unimpressed to be dragged away from her school and her friends, Savannah ended up having what literally became the adventure of a lifetime.

Wild is another example of a popular travel book that has subsequently been made into a movie .

Whilst this isn’t my personal favourite book or movie, it is hugely popular around the world, which is why I included it in this list.

Wild is the story of Cheryl Strayed who set off on a journey to walk 1100 miles along the west coast of America alone. Bearing the grief of her mother’s sudden death and her crumbled marriage, she embarks on a spiritual journey fro lost to found.

The last book on my travel and tourism reading list is the Alchemist.

The reason it’s last is because I haven’t actually managed to finish it. Personally, I found this book a little slow going and I just haven’t managed to find the motivation to finish it yet…. having said that, many others have! In fact, I think I may be the only person in the world who doesn’t absolutely love this book!

The Alchemist is included on almost every list of recommended travel books I have ever read… which is why I have included it here. It might not be to my taste, but it could be to yours!

To finish off this article, I would love to ask for your suggestions of essential travel and tourism reading. Whether it’s a textbook, a how-to guide, fiction or non-fiction, please let me know what is missing from my travel and tourism reading list! You can use the comments box below.

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