Leisure is an increasingly important economic activity in mature service economies. Leisure, is described by the Collins English Dictionary as, ‘an opportunity for ease and relaxation’, and therefore implies non-work time. The Oxford English Dictionary defines leisure as ‘The state of having time at one’s disposal, free unoccupied time’. Indeed, the origin of the word is rooted in the Latin word licere, ‘to be allowed’. In its broadest sense leisure encompasses all those waking activities that are not work activities. Leisure services, however, describe services provided by various organizations to occupy leisure time. For the purposes of this book these leisure services are usually experienced out of the home, though there are some overlaps.

 Download  PDF