Tourist Destinations: Structure and Synthesis

Destinations are a central feature of tourism and the focus of much research, but studies have become increasingly fragmented. This book provides a synthesis of international research that critically reviews a wide range of perspectives and incorporates many different facets of destinations from related but often divergent literatures. It illustrates conceptual and methodological issues with empirical examples from Europe, North and South America, Asia, and Oceania, and focuses on two major structural themes: spatial and organizational structure. This integrated approach provides fresh insights, produces a comprehensive understanding of destinations, and identifies avenues for future research.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 15 December 2020
Publisher: CABI Publishing

Destinations play a pivotal role in the realm of tourism, drawing significant attention and research efforts. Researchers have approached these destinations from various angles, employing diverse concepts and methodologies to gain a deeper understanding. Consequently, the field of destination research has become increasingly fragmented, with studies becoming more specialized. To address this fragmentation, there is a pressing need for a more integrated approach that brings together these diverse research threads to provide a comprehensive and coherent picture of destinations, their structure, and their functioning.

This book aims to fulfill this need by critically reviewing a wide range of international research on destinations. It encompasses various facets of destinations, drawing from related but often divergent literatures. Conceptual and methodological issues are illustrated with empirical examples from Europe, North and South America, Asia, and Oceania. These examples are organized around two major structural themes: spatial structure and organizational structure.

Spatial structure delves into the physical location, distribution, configuration, and interconnections of products, services, and actors, as well as the factors that shape these patterns. It explores the spatial arrangements and configurations that influence tourist experiences and the interactions between different stakeholders. On the other hand, organizational structure focuses on the diverse configurations and interactions between multiple actors, both collectively and individually. It examines how these actors come together, interact, and behave to create the desired tourist experiences.

The originality and contribution of this work lie in its systematic examination and combination of these two structural themes across destinations, ranging from the national to the local scale. By integrating these perspectives, the book offers fresh insights and provides a comprehensive understanding of destinations. It identifies avenues for future research, fostering a deeper exploration of the complex dynamics and characteristics of destinations.

In conclusion, destinations are a central aspect of tourism, and their study has gained significant importance in recent years. This book contributes to the field by providing a comprehensive synthesis of international research on destinations, integrating spatial and organizational structure perspectives. Through its systematic approach and empirical examples, it offers valuable insights and identifies avenues for future research, fostering a deeper understanding of these dynamic destinations.

Weight: 858g
Dimension: 177 x 250 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789245837