"Rural Tourism Development: Localism and Cultural Change" is a critical examination of the dynamic interrelationship between tourism and culture, conducted by three Canadian researchers. The book explores how local and rural community changes are linked to structural thinking about globalization, enabling a more comprehensive and theoretically sophisticated analysis of rural tourism potential. While the role of the community in tourism planning is important, the authors note a lack of field research and more scientifically grounded theoretical interpretations of the themes. The authors view the local community as the subject of research, and tourism as one of several possibilities for rural development and sustainability. Thus, tourism is not seen as the primary subject of rural development, with the community being merely a means of realization. The book has 14 chapters. Chapter 1 contains an introduction, content, and description of the research themes. Chapter 2 provides a brief overview of the political economy of rural development in Canada over the past 30 years. Chapters 3–6 present four extensive studies, each focusing on a Canadian example: Lunenburg in Nova Scotia, Port Stanley in Ontario, Vulcan in Alberta, and Canso in Nova Scotia. These studies were conducted with careful attention to the local context. The authors argue that localism and cultural change are essential for rural tourism development, emphasizing the need for community involvement and sustainable practices. The book contributes to the understanding of rural tourism by highlighting the importance of local perspectives and cultural considerations in tourism planning and development."Rural Tourism Development: Localism and Cultural Change" is a critical examination of the dynamic interrelationship between tourism and culture, conducted by three Canadian researchers. The book explores how local and rural community changes are linked to structural thinking about globalization, enabling a more comprehensive and theoretically sophisticated analysis of rural tourism potential. While the role of the community in tourism planning is important, the authors note a lack of field research and more scientifically grounded theoretical interpretations of the themes. The authors view the local community as the subject of research, and tourism as one of several possibilities for rural development and sustainability. Thus, tourism is not seen as the primary subject of rural development, with the community being merely a means of realization. The book has 14 chapters. Chapter 1 contains an introduction, content, and description of the research themes. Chapter 2 provides a brief overview of the political economy of rural development in Canada over the past 30 years. Chapters 3–6 present four extensive studies, each focusing on a Canadian example: Lunenburg in Nova Scotia, Port Stanley in Ontario, Vulcan in Alberta, and Canso in Nova Scotia. These studies were conducted with careful attention to the local context. The authors argue that localism and cultural change are essential for rural tourism development, emphasizing the need for community involvement and sustainable practices. The book contributes to the understanding of rural tourism by highlighting the importance of local perspectives and cultural considerations in tourism planning and development.