Redefining tourism destination boundaries from a consumption-based perspective
- Autores: Isabel Paulino ValldePérez
- Directores de la Tesis: Lluís Prats Planagumà (dir. tes.), Antonio P. Russo (codir. tes.)
- Lectura: En la Universitat de Girona ( España ) en 2020
- Idioma: español
- Tribunal Calificador de la Tesis: Rodolfo Baggio (presid.), Jaime Oscar Guía Julve (secret.), Noam Shoval (voc.)
- Programa de doctorado: Programa de Doctorado en Turismo por la Universidad de Girona y la Universidad de las Illes Balears
- Materias:
- Enlaces
- Tesis en acceso abierto en: TDX
- Resumen
Tourism destinations are generally planned and managed following the administrative boundaries of the corresponding territorial administration. However, the literature has pointed out that administrative boundaries are not the most effective framework with which to manage and plan a tourism destination. These political boundaries may artificially divide the natural destination, and as a result, tourism development in the area may be hindered. A destination is acknowledged as being a geographical area to which tourists travel to visit attractions; therefore, in order to effectively plan and manage a destination the consumers’ perspective should be taken into consideration. Previous studies have started to critically examine the traditional way tourism destination boundaries are defined, either by proposing theoretic clusters based on proximity of attractions, or by studying tourists’ flows. However, studies which redefine tourism destination boundaries based on how tourists consume destinations considering their entire stay at the destination are still lacking. The present dissertation endorses the critical viewpoint on tourism destinations defined along administrative lines. It highlights the need to abandon the concept that destinations are integral and continuous zones which are only distinguished by their administrative limits. The dissertation centres on the functionality of destinations from the demand-side; thus advocating a more flexible model of destinations which takes into account the way tourists geographically consume a destination, and consequetly, enabling it to adapt to tourists’ preferences and improve its planning and management. The main aim of this study is to redefine tourism destinations on the basis of travel patterns within-a-destination. Indeed, the main difference between this study and previous studies is the focus on travel patterns within-a-destination, without considering direct flows. This thesis first uncovers the relationship between the two essential elements of a tourism destination (accommodation 18 and attractions), by investigating travel patterns within-a-destination; as well as the factors which influence these patterns. Secondly, the study reveals how tourists geographically consume a destination as a whole throughout the duration of their stay. The first step was to develop an understanding of tourists’ travel patterns within a destination as a network of consumed attractions and services within a destination. Taking these patterns into consideration, the methodology consisted of collecting data on travel patterns in three European rural destinations using direct tourist surveys, and then reproducing these networks. Network analysis methodology together with GIS technologies was then used to analyse the data collected. This method revealed the territoriality of travel patterns in the area surrounding accommodation hubs and attractions. It shows a system comprising a range of tourism attractions that tourists visit from each accommodation hub, and a range of hosting points linked to particular attractions. The method was also able to detect the consumption-based destination, which consisted of a network of attractions that tourists often visit during their whole stay in the area. Subsequently, the factors influencing the main travel patterns, and which ultimately determine the shape and size of the consumption-based destination, were explored. The graphical representation of travel patterns within-a-destination shows that tourists frequently cross administrative boundaries, and destinations overlap in both systems: a) around the accommodation and attraction; and b) in the attraction networks. Results demonstrate the relevance of the spatial relationship between the attractions themselves, and between attractions and accommodation, leading to a tendency to follow convenient travel patterns. This thesis contributes to the understanding of how destinations are geographically consumed, and offers empirical evidence for a new method based on tourists’ travel patterns which is able to redefine destination boundaries. From a consumer-based perspective, the first positive implication of redefining 19 tourism destinations is to better adapt the destination to tourists’ preferences in order to facilitate tourist flows and consumption. Making the concept of destination more flexible by basing it on systems and subsystems, means the destination can be understood as a whole, as well as from the perspective of specific attractions or accommodation hubs. This helps detect potential opportunities and motivate collaboration between stakeholders. In summary, this thesis contributes to improving destination planning and management by adapting tourism destinations to consumer needs. Furthermore, it provides tourism actors with information on how tourists consume a destination, thus contributing to opening market opportunities for stakeholders. Future research should focus on the governance of destination systems and subsystems.