Tourism connectivity and spatial complexity: A widening bi-dimensional arena of urban tourism research

Abstract

This chapter outlines the frontiers of the city tourism debate and highlights the emerging analytical issues that are widening the urban tourism research agenda. It provides an updated frame for tourism research by attempting to underline the urban character of travelling and, hence, to overcome the view of city tourism as a negligible element in the process of urban and economic development. The chapter is based on a review of academic papers and books, with particular attention paid to recent publications. It advocates a shift of perspective in urban tourism research, which is explained as a change of the unit of analysis for observation in the field and discussed from both a spatial and a conceptual viewpoint. This provides a starting point for future research projects, acknowledging the need for a greater sophistication of the cognitive tools used to analyse the contemporary urban tourism phenomenon.