The economic geography of remote tourism: the problem of connection seeking

Abstract

The current literature on peripheral tourism appears conceptually weak for its inability to distinguish between different types of "peripheral" destinations. This review article argues that "remote" destinations have intrinsically different characteristics compared to peripheral ones and require different theoretical approaches to better explain the dynamics of tourism in remote areas. The review builds on theoretical models from the fields of economic geography and political economy, which have been largely absent from peripheral research in Tourism Studies in the past. In particular, the Canadian "staples thesis" is seen by these authors to offer some valuable insights into the unique patterns of economic development and core-periphery relationships in remote areas. They argue that while peripheral areas usually have entrenched relationships with a clearly defined core, remote areas are characterized by "disconnectedness" and face substantial challenges in establishing viable connections with other places. This review article thereby suggests that understanding the processes and implications of connection seeking is critical if tourism is to provide an effective tool for economic development in remote areas.