Evolutionary and relational approaches to economic development are gaining ground in geography as a discipline, although in the subfield of tourism geography, their potential is only just becoming recognised. This article focuses on the evolution of mature tourism destinations, taking the path dependency concept forward from the notion of path creation into the new domain of path plasticity. Drawing on the notion of cultural political economy, we examine how tourism destinations can break with path dependency routines incrementally and move steadily towards different future paths, which may recast tourism in a different light in the overall “urban” context of the destination. Using a case study of a Mediterranean coastal destination on Catalonia's Costa Daurada, we explore the inter-tangled tourism and urban development processes in relation to the socio-spatial dimensions of urban change. The article argues for a wider range of social and cultural criteria in the analysis of tourism evolution – advocating the use of path plasticity and a cultural political economy approach – to offer an alternative perspective on shifting tourism situations, reflecting the inherently “urbanising” nature of tourism development in the traditional coastal resort context. It adds to the growing literature on governance and strategy-making in sustainable tourism.

Backpacker enclaves have become important arenas for social and cultural exchange and identity formation. As customised spaces catering for visitors, they provide home comforts as well as points of...

Red flags are increasingly being raised over the contribution of short term tourism rentals (mediated by platforms such as Airbnb) to socio-spatial inequalities and residential displacement. In many cases, the most vocal reactions have come from social movements claiming the Right to the City through particular geographies of resistance that underpin protest counter-narratives in the digital and non-digital spheres. In order to evaluate this relationship, a digital content analysis based on a sample of around 16,000 tweets illustrates the depth and diversity of tourism counter-narratives within the Twitter activity of social movements in opposition to tourism saturation in the city of Barcelona. This approach is triangulated with a spatial analysis of Airbnb-mediated rentals in Barcelona, based on GIS mapping, as well as correlations with a variety of geo-referenced data sources and the application of different socio-economic variables. The relationship between these two dimensions is key for policymakers in influencing regulatory approaches to collaborative platform activity and mitigating socio-spatial inequalities generated by short term rentals and the platforms that mediate them.

Embedded in the ecotourism concept is 'marine ecotourism': ecotourism that takes place in marine and coastal environments. Much marine ecotourism activity occurs in parts of the world that would be considered 'peripheral' in spatial, temporal and economic terms; yet to date no one has attempted to draw together the concepts of marine ecotourism and peripherality. In particular, why might marine ecotourism be considered an especially appropriate strategy for coastal peripheral areas? This paper introduces the concept of ecotourism in the marine and coastal context. It then examines what is meant by the term 'peripherality' and outlines some of the challenges and opportunities it can bring to coastal locations. A particular focus is on the EU's main policy responses to the peripherality dimension of its regional 'problem'. The paper then discusses the potentials and pitfalls of marine ecotourism as a sustainable development option for coastal peripheral areas. A case study of West Clare, Ireland, is drawn upon to give context to some of the opportunities and challenges of ecotourism in peripheral areas. A conclusion is that marine ecotourism can potentially form part – but, realistically, only a part – of an appropriate strategy for addressing the problems faced by coastal peripheral areas.