1. Introduction.- 2. Rural Tourism as a Tool for Sustainable Development - Lessons Learned in Estonia.- 3. From Communism to Capitalism: The Transition of Bulgarian Tourism Sector and Contemporary Discourses.- 4. From Centrally-Driven Variations to Market-Driven Development: Models of Urban Tourism Evolution in Poland.- 5. Institutional Challenges in the Development of Tourism in Kazakhstan.- 6. Tourism Development and Policy in Slovakia.- 7. Post-Socialist Tourism Trajectories in Budapest: From Under-tourism to Over-tourism.- 8. Troubled Sustainability: Coastal Tourism in Bulgaria – 20 Years Later.- 9. From Tourist Guides to Cultural Immersion Facilitators: Sustainable Tourism and Redefining Destination Image in Slovenia.- 10. Networking, Clustering and Creativity as a Tool for Tourism Development in Rural Areas of Belarus.- 11. Rural Tourism Product Development: The Polish Experience.- 12. Nature-based Tourism Development as a Tool of Community Transformation from Communism to Capitalism in Georgia.- 13. Conclusion.

Former communist countries face unique issues in developing and marketing tourism businesses, communities, and attractions because of centralized polices that discourage international influences. While soviet economies relied on state policies to facilitate community development, the success of capitalism lies in access to a variety of resources, such as the environment, fiscal services, infrastructure, and market knowledge at the local level. Moreover, communal societies potentially possess social capital that can provide unique economic development opportunities. This book incorporates a regional perspective that widens the tourism development debate to include theoretical analyses, applied research, and case studies that document the broader successes and challenges that affect tourism stakeholders and addresses the necessary elements that facilitate a comprehensive tourism development strategy in emerging and transitioning former communist countries.

“Authors from nine former socialist and communist countries explore the tourism transformations and adaptations after the collapse of socialism in 1989-1990. A must read for anyone interested in tourism behind the former Iron Curtain.” (Tanja Mihalič, Professor, School of Economics and Business, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia)“A fascinating contribution to the body of knowledge reflecting on the transition of ex-socialist countries from highly centralized, government-owned tourism services into privately owned, modern and global tourism systems. I strongly recommend reading this book and using it as an important source for academics, practitioners and tourism students.” (Yoel Mansfeld, Professor, Tourism Planning and Development, University of Haifa, Israel)

Provides a comprehensive research-related book to inform the opportunities and challenges facing former communist countries in tourism development Demonstrates that tourism can be treated as a vehicle for the implementation of new values Connects the non-homogeneous transformation pathways in the various countries of the former Eastern Bloc to differing national identity projects

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