This book introduces a new approach to the analysis and management of growth in small tourism markets for regional and rural locations. It recognizes from the outset that the vast bulk of the tourism industry's product is delivered by small business enterprises and that many of these are located outside of metropolitan areas. Its central premise is that a myriad of small-scale clusters can provide an effective means to establish a local competitive advantage in tourism activities based on the resources of existing communities. The book brings together contemporary views of the potential of clustering theory to promote development in micro-markets, within the paradigm of competition, to create a new framework for regional development that might serve to enhance the growth of small-scale tourism destinations.Microclusters and Networks provides a theoretical explanation of how and why micro-clusters come about, with chapters by specialist authors to illustrate examples of their practice in the real world; but it goes further to demonstrate not only why they work but also how community members interact to form successful clusters. The incorporation of networking theory provides the means to explain the role of local community interaction in delivering successful social outcomes. The analysis that is provided clearly has applications for many industries beyond the development of rural and regional tourism destinations. *Provides a theoretical explanation of how and why micro-clusters come about*Brings together contemporary views of the potential of clustering theory to promote development in micro-markets*Enhances the discussion of rural development policies for tourism by local communities, policy analysts and academic researchers

本书介绍了一种分析和管理区域和农村地区小型旅游市场增长的新方法。它从一开始就认识到，旅游业的绝大部分产品是由小型商业企业提供的，其中许多位于大都市之外。它的核心前提是，无数的小规模集群可以提供一种有效的手段，在现有社区资源的基础上建立起旅游活动的地方竞争优势。本书汇集了当代人对集群理论促进微观市场发展的潜力的看法，在竞争的范式下，创建了一个新的区域发展框架，可能有助于加强小规模旅游目的地的增长。"微集群与网络 "对微观集群的产生方式和原因进行了理论解释，并由专业作者撰写章节，说明其在现实世界中的实践案例；但它更进一步，不仅证明它们为什么有效，而且说明社区成员如何互动以形成成功集群。网络理论的融入提供了解释当地社区互动在实现成功的社会结果中的作用的手段。所提供的分析显然可以应用于农村和区域旅游目的地发展之外的许多行业。*本书从理论上解释了微观集群产生的方式和原因*汇集了当代人对集群理论促进微观市场发展潜力的看法*加强了地方社区、政策分析家和学术研究人员对农村旅游发展政策的讨论