Evan Ward's compelling study provides analytical insight into the evolution of today's principal tourism destinations in the Spanish Caribbean. Packaged Vacations examines the political and economic forces that led to the creation of resorts in Puerto Rico, Mexico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic, as well as the impact tourism has had on local environments, economies, and cultures.
By comparing and contrasting a number of case studies, Ward reveals how historical, political, architectural, planning, and environmental factors led to the unique identities of resorts throughout the region. He also demonstrates that the growth of tourism in the region into a major economic force is driven as much by local and European interests as by those of American corporations.
"Ward fills a gap in the literature on hotel and tourism destination development by careful historical analysis of the cases provided by Dorado Beach, Puerto Rico; Cancún, Mexico; Varadero, Cuba; and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, from the early 1950s to 2006."--Dennis J. Gayle, University of the West Indies
"Provides a fascinating history that begins with the details of the selection and design of individual resorts (e.g., Laurance Rockefeller's Caneel Bay in St. John, USVI) and proceeds logically in scale to the global context of tourism (e.g., the possible direction of Cuba in the post–Fidel Castro world)."--Paul F. Wilkinson, York University, Ontario
Evan Ward's compelling study provides analytical insight into the evolution of today's principal tourism destinations in the Spanish Caribbean. Packaged Vacations examines the political and economic forces that led to the creation of resorts in Puerto Rico, Mexico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic, as well as the impact tourism has had on local environments, economies, and cultures.
By comparing and contrasting a number of case studies, Ward reveals how historical, political, architectural, planning, and environmental factors led to the unique identities of resorts throughout the region. He also demonstrates that the growth of tourism in the region into a major economic force is driven as much by local and European interests as by those of American corporations.
Product Details
Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: University Press of Florida; 1st edition (June 1, 2008)
Dr. Evan R. Ward grew up in Vernon, Texas, and attended Brigham Young University, graduating with a bachelor's degree in history, and a minor in Spanish, in 1995. He obtained an MA (1997)and PhD (2000) in history at the University of Georgia.
Professionally, he has worked as an Assistant and Associate Professor at the University of North Alabama (2001-2008). His main areas of interest included Latin American history and Economic history. While there, he also served as the Interim Director of the Center for International Programs (which has a local economic impact of approximately $21 million [2008]).
As a result of his opportunities there, Dr. Ward has travelled,worked, and researched in Cuba (legally; Havana, Varadero), the Dominican Republic (Punta Cana), Mexico (Tijuana, Mexico City, Ixtapa, Merida, Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen), Argentina (Buenos Aires, Cordoba), Uruguay (Montevideo), Chile (Santiago), Peru (Lima), Ecuador (Quito), Colombia (Bogota, Cartagena), Turkey (Istanbul, Bursa, Pamukkale, Bandirme, Gocek, Bodrum, Edrimet, Ayvalik, Canakkale, Gallipoli), Germany (Munich), Austria (Salzburg), India (Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Ahmedabad), Nepal (Katmandu), Japan (Tokyo), and China (Beijing, Shenyang, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Shanghai, Dalian).
Dr. Ward loves analysis of economic issues, hence his interest in natural resource policy and tourism development. His travels have fostered a strong interest in culture and languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, French, Turkish, Catalan, Japanese, Arabic, and Chinese, all of which he has studied to one degree or another.
On a personal note, Dr. Ward still holds the record for the mile (4:33) and two mile (9:48) at Vernon High School (Vernon, Texas), which were set in 1988.
In August 2009, Evan will join the history faculty at Brigham Young University.
