The Tourist Places of the World

Formerly a largely Western practice, leisure travel is today the most dynamic industry in the world in terms of growth. Developments in transport and communication systems mean tourism is now an integral part of our understanding of the world, and involved in the exponential increase of links between societies and different cultures.

The Tourist Places of the World has comprehensive data on the number of international visitors annually. It also includes an original map ? not dictated by country, but by major tourist areas and places. The hierarchy of destinations drawn is highlighted by the different levels of popularity and passenger flows; from the universal places where all societies meet to the still unfrequented places.
Beyond the recognition of global tourism, the challenge is to understand how and why societies can achieve a better life through sustainable development, which encompasses social, economic and environmental dimensions.

Auteur

Philippe Violier is a Professor of Geography and a member of the Spaces and Societies Laboratory at the University of Angers, France. He is also Director of the university's Tourism and Culture faculty.

Benjamin Taunay is a member of University of Angers' Spaces and Societies Laboratory, as well as a geographer, lecturer, and currently seconded to the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs.

Résumé

Formerly a largely Western practice, “leisure travel” is today the most dynamic industry in the world in terms of growth. Developments in transport and communication systems mean tourism is now an integral part of our understanding of the world, and involved in the exponential increase of links between societies and different cultures. The Tourist Places of the World has comprehensive data on the number of international visitors annually. It also includes an original map ? not dictated by country, but by major tourist areas and places. The hierarchy of destinations drawn is highlighted by the different levels of popularity and passenger flows; from the universal places where all societies meet to the still unfrequented places. Beyond the recognition of global tourism, the challenge is to understand how and why societies can achieve a better life through sustainable development, which encompasses social, economic and environmental dimensions.

Contenu
Introduction xi

Chapter 1. An Overview of the Tourism World 1

1.1. Presentation of data and criticisms 2

1.1.1. Development of statistics 2

1.1.2. Limitations induced by these sources 2

1.2. A hierarchical world 6

1.2.1. Disparities 7

1.2.2. Paradigms in action: wealth of nations, distance and otherness 9

1.2.3. Toward a multipolar world 11

1.2.4. Conclusion 15

1.3. Touristic mobility: tourists conquering the World 15

1.3.1. Places, a social construction 16

1.3.2. Diversity of biophysical worlds 18

1.3.3. Variety of human constructs 19

1.3.4. Attendance modalities 21

1.3.5. Social scales 21

1.3.6. Conclusion 22

1.4. Constraints on the movement of tourists opposed by the worlds 22

1.4.1. Combination between the unequal wealth of nations and distance 22

1.4.2. The heterogeneity of the world 25

1.4.3. Tensions 26

1.4.4. Health and biophysical risks 30

1.4.5. Risks of everyday life: accident situations 32

1.5. Tourist traffic 34

1.5.1. By means of globalization 35

1.5.2. By means of mediation 36

1.5.3. By means of the mobilization of skills 37

1.6. A question of method 38

1.6.1. Method based on the analysis of tour operators' catalogs 39

1.6.2. A method not free of bias 40

1.6.3. A method with many limitations 41

1.7. Conclusion 42

Chapter 2. North America 43

2.1. A continent with a high level of touristicity 43

2.1.1. A population that is not very dense but with a high departure rate 43

2.1.2. Hierarchy of States 45

2.2. Touristicity of the places 46

2.2.1. To the east, the cities are dominant 46

2.2.2. To the west, natural parks: a level playing field with cities 50

2.2.3. A confidential space for indigenous nations 52

2.2.4. A typology of tourist places 53

2.3. Societal practices 56

2.3.1. European society practices 56

2.3.2. Practices of new North American societies 59

2.3.3. Practices of new tourism societies 59

2.3.4. World connectiveness of North American places 60

2.4. Conclusion 61

2.5. Atlas 62

Chapter 3. Central America 67

3.1. Southern part of the North American tourism area 67

3.1.1. A politically fragmented region 67

3.1.2. A continent in the grip of violence 69

3.1.3. Tourist hierarchy of States 69

3.2. Touristicity of places 73

3.2.1. Seaside region 73

3.2.2. A region also dedicated to discovery 75

3.2.3. Costa Rica, a special case 77

3.2.4. Typology of tourist places 78

3.3. Societal practices 81

3.3.1. Practices of former tourism societies 81

3.3.2. Practices of new tourism societies 82

3.3.3. World connectiveness 83

3.4. Conclusion 84

3.5. Atlas 85

Chapter 4. South America 89

4.1. Overall, not very touristy 89

4.1.1. Far from the center and a sparsely populated continent 89

4.1.2. Hierarchy of States 92

4.2. Touristicity of places 94

4.2.1. Atlantic Coast 94

4.2.2. The Andes and the southern cone 95

4.2.3. Tourist suburbs of the continent 99

4.2.4. Typology of tourist places 101

4.3. Societal practices 104

4.3.1. Practices of former tourism societies 104

4.3.2. Practices of new tourism societies 106

4.3.3. World connectiveness of South America's tourist attractions 106

4.4. Conclusion 107

4.5. Atlas 108

Chapter 5. Central and Northern Europe 115

5.1. Northern margin of a very touristic continent 115

5.1.1. World Region, the birth of tourism 115 5.1.2. Hierarchy of ...