Tourism geographers have begun to reconceptualise tourism so that it is no longer about tourism development per se but about opportunities presented by tourism that complement community economic development. Thus, the following questions are paramount:
•    How can tourism contribute to community economic development initiatives that meet sustainable development principles (e.g., integrating economic, social, cultural, environmental benefits)?
•    How does tourism contribute to increased resilience in rural and peripheral communities?
•    What menu of metrics can development outcomes be measured by (e.g., employment and demographic statistics) and which ones need further development (e.g., community well-being)?

This session invites papers addressing the question of tourism’s future contribution to rural resilience. Submissions may address, but are not limited to, the following topics:
•    rural tourism and local quality of life and community well-being
•    land use conflicts between tourism and other sectors
•    marginalised groups in rural and peripheral tourism
•    rural tourism partnerships and networking
•    role of tourism beyond the economic realm
•    complementarity of tourism and rural innovation
•    community economic development initiatives and their ability to incorporate tourism as more than a stand-alone economic development strategy

If you are interested in participating in this session please send a draft of your abstract to patrick.brouder (at) on or before the 28th of February 2013.
Final abstracts must be submitted to the CAG2013 organising committee by the 15th of March 2013. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the session organiser: patrick.brouder(at)