"The Discovery of Tourism Economics", presents the personal histories of some of the world's leading tourism economists, many of whom pioneered the field. This book is a unique collection of personal experiences and is a literary celebration of the global community of economic scholars - current and future - working in tourism. The study of tourism economics is a global phenomenon and this book provides a culturally and geographically diverse set of autobiographies. These stories reveal the wide range of personalities, passions, and peculiarities behind the authors' choice of tourism as a specialization and answer questions like: How did your interest in tourism develop? Was there a particular person who influenced your career choices? What are the joys and frustrations of working as a tourism economist? What do you consider to be some of your most significant accomplishments? The tales of these successful and respected scholars provide students with insights into how careers in tourism economics emerge and evolve, revealing the unexpected opportunities, challenges, rewards, and idiosyncrasies of the careers of scholars who have become recognized leaders in their field.