Mondes du Tourisme (Dec 2023)
Exploring the historical evolution of tourist places: methodological implications and cartographic considerations when assessing tourism globalisation
Abstract
Approaching Globalisation in the context of “the emergence of the world as a relevant space” (Lévy and Lussault, 2013, p. 690), this article examines the transformation of spatial boundaries and the space-time relationship, notably influenced by advancements in transportation and technology. It identifies tourism as a significant factor in global interconnectedness, shaped by various societal and infrastructural developments. The construction of a global network of 72,000 tourist places from 1800 to 2000, driven by the propagation of travel imaginary across different mediums, represents the “touristification” of the world. The research overlooks political and administrative borders on global maps to better depict this spatiotemporal and quantitative evolution, revealing distinct growth and slowdown periods. Critical insights into the developmental paths of tourist places and their relation to the broader process of Globalisation are presented. The research navigates through the complexities of constructing a global dataset and mapping methodologies, incorporating innovative use of travel guidebooks for data collection. Employing digital and quantitative methodologies, the research scrutinizes potential advantages, limitations, and biases to maintain the study’s validity and reliability. Finally, building on earlier publications, the article highlights encountered limitations, and outlines future research directions, offering a profound understanding of the complexities of investigating tourism globalisation.
