Tourism is characterized by constant change, affecting destinations, activities, products, and mobilities, while also transforming the physical, social, cultural, and economic environments. This dual nature contributes to regional development and economic growth but also presents environmental challenges. Intensified global changes, including globalization, introduce risks for tourism development and destinations, highlighting the need for improved knowledge and sustainable practices in tourism management. This publication aims to explore the transformation of tourism as a geographical concept and the management of tourist destinations amid these global changes and risks. It features selected papers from the symposium of the Commission on Tourism, Leisure and Global Change of the International Geographical Union held in Trier, Germany, from August 22-25, 2012. Topics discussed include global risks and risk management in tourism, sustainable positioning of destinations, governance in destination development, ICT-related challenges, innovations in tourism development, and cross-border tourism aspects. These insights are crucial for understanding and navigating the complexities of tourism in a rapidly changing world.
