Whereas leisure was once treated as a social service a business culture has swept through what
remains of the voluntary and public sectors today. Ken Roberts explains how and why this has
happened what it means for tourism sport the arts and broadcasting and why events in
particular mega-events have become prize acquisitions.The Business of Leisure addresses the
trend towards commercialisation in the provision of leisure that has not only continued but
accelerated since the 2004 publication of The Leisure Industries. This updated second edition
reflects how recent developments such as the age of austerity demographic changes and the rise
of digital information technologies have transformed the leisure sector. At the same time the
book demonstrates how voluntary associations and public providers have been able to withstand
the ever-growing pressures from big business and commerce.This thought-provoking text provides
both a historical overview and an up-to-date introduction to the contemporary study of leisure.
It is an invaluable resource for students in areas such as Leisure Studies and Management
Sports Studies Tourism and Events Management as well as those on Management Business and
Sociology courses.
