The evolution of destinations. An evolutionary and relational economic geography approach

Resumen

The aim of this thesis is to understand how and why destinations change over time, putting attention to the dynamics of place instead of the evolution of tourism activity, one of the prevalent discussions around traditional evolutionary models. To achieve this, it develops an analytical model drawing inspiration on contemporary advances in economic geography – i.e. evolutionary economic geography (EEG) and relational economic geography (REG). From such an approach destination evolution is conceived as a complex ongoing process shaped by the specific characteristics and interplay of multiple forces in terms of human agency, contextuality and path dependence. By focusing on the analysis of specific catalysts that shaped the evolutionary trajectory of central Costa Daurada (Catalonia) since the 1980s, the exploratory research conducted studies, first, the effects of stakeholders’ interaction and knowledge flows on the evolutionary performance of destinations (human agency). Second, the adaptive capacity of destinations in front of dynamics of local and global change (contextuality). And third, the enabling and constraining long-term effects of decisions and events occurred in the past (path dependence). The methodological design of the empirical research comprises a combination of qualitative – interviews and documentary analysis – and quantitative – social network analysis – techniques. The findings of this thesis help illustrate and extract transferable lessons for increasing understanding on the mechanisms underlying tourism destinations' evolutionary processes. Along these lines, administered Knowledge networks with a technology and Innovation Centre as main hub are found as efficient knowledge management structures that support the dissemination of knowledge and promote the involvement of stakeholders in collective learning, while drawing knowledge-based innovation and development. besides, strategic coupling between local stakeholders and global actors emerge as bottom-up private-led initiative that can effectively contribute to increase the innovativeness of local firms and enable the upgrading of destinations. Finally, the moments framework provide insightful lens to uncover the different ways in which destinations evolve accordint to the occurrence of specific inflection points that shape their economic/social/urban development pathway when facing lock-in situations. All in all, results obtained go beyond the classic functional models dealing with the evolution of tourism destinations and reinforce the integration of the greographical analysis of tourism into mainstream contemporary thinking in economic geography. In addition to this epistemological contribution, the findings of this thesis provide, as well, valuable information to guide leading policy and agency strategies aimed to maintain and increase the sustainability and competitiveness of destinations.