Introduction

What leisure is and what it means to people are probably more important now than ever before and the influence of government and its agencies has never been more evident. In this fifth edition, while much of the text is new or re-written, the philosophy and fundamental principles on which to plan and manage leisure survive and through further investigation are strengthened. In particular, leisure in historical and cultural perspectives have been covered in much fuller detail than in previous editions to enhance scholarship and provide foundations for strategic thinking. Additional chapters covering each of the main leisure ‘products’ are also included.