Configuration of tourist destinations and land use. Review of drivers and implications

Abstract

The socioeconomic importance of tourism and the various transformations it generates have increased the interest in studying its impacts. This article contributes to the discussion about the transformation processes generated by the decision to change, manage and plan the use of the land to configure tourist destinations. Based on a review of 162 articles written between 2000 and 2020, the factors and implications of this decision have been identified and classified. The review reveals that most of the research was carried out in coastal destinations, rural areas and protected areas, on a local scale, with case studies, in countries such as China, Spain, Mexico and Turkey, among others. The main driver identified is the presence and availability of resources in the destination. The formulation of plans and programs and changes in regulation by the government make the location attractive and favor the conditions for the development of tourism. Most of the articles reviewed indicate negative implications, especially associated with ecosystem degradation. This shows the need to integrate various political, economic, ecological, social and cultural aspects in the decision to adapt the use of land to tourism development.