NS34 Session 4

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Title: City tourism destination – using a development potential in a changing world

Organisers: Göran Andersson

Affiliation: Södertörn University

Description

Urban areas are very important in our modern societies, since it is there that most of the population lives and a significant proportion of the GDP is produced. In addition, urban tourism has probably still a development potential.

It will be even more important to understand the city structure in the future. Especially concerning the borders and functions for regional centres and city centres.

New forms of destination governance are emerging, beginning with the quadruple-helix model involving various actors. These actors will also work with thematic destination questions such as transport planning and digital place marketing. An important question is how this kind of institutional governance can contribute to the common welfare of both tourists and society.

Depending on the city destination’s character and the city’s industry in general, different destination management organisations (DMO) can be organised. Besides, what new roles will organisations working with destination development have in securing the tourist function in a network of social and economic realities?

Regarding a new mode of urban place transformation, the concept of Smart city destination can be discussed. Especially the digital technology, such as social media and mobile phones, can transform urban planning in general and tourism in specific.

Although increased city tourism in a changing world has created new opportunities and prosperity for locals and tourists, it has also given rise to negative impacts. A series of psychosocial and ecological environmental problems can be studied when developing city tourism, such as air pollution and overtourism. It is worth considering whether city tourism development could mitigate some of these problems.

Finally, this session will examine how urban destinations can be developed in ways that benefit all stakeholders equitably without compromising the environment. However, we also welcome abstracts with related questions, such as urban event planning and destination marketing.