ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the interrelationships between wine and tourism at the regional level and note the manner in which greater synergies can be achieved while also acknowledging some of the potential pitfalls of wine tourism development. It discusses issues of regional promotion, planning and development, including the role of networks as an important contributing factor to regional development and promotion. The chapter focuses on the role of the Internet in wine tourism. It looks at issues of regional development, resource management and sustainability and notes the effects that urbanization, lifestyle migration and tourism development can have on wine-producing areas. Both the wine and tourism industries rely on regional branding for market leverage and promotion. Tourism has long been regarded as having the potential to contribute to regional development. Tourism development has therefore received increasing recognition as a tool to encourage regional and national economic development and employment generation.
