ABSTRACT
If geographical research is to maintain its own distinctiveness, which it surely has to do for the sake of its own survival and respect, it needs to make explicit its sense of what is important. The sheer number of people, the economic value and the significance to people’s lives of leisure, recreation and tourism will eventually make even the most doubting sceptic accept that these topics are worthy of study and that [the] battle for acceptance of [leisure, recreation and tourism] as valid areas of research will be won. It would be depressing if geography was not there to claim its unique place and interests.
