(Re)Creating spaces for tourism: Spatial effects of the 2010/ 2011 Christchurch earthquakes. (October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Faisal, Abrar; Albrecht, Julia N.; Coetzee, Willem J.L.
• Is Part Of: Tourism management. Volume 80(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-10
• Subjects: Urban tourism -- Tourism crisis management -- Urban renewal -- Placemaking -- Entrepreneurial resilience -- Spatial reconstruction -- Economic geography -- Niche construction theory (NCT); Tourism -- Periodicals; 338.4791
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tourman.2020.104102
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0261-5177

Abstract

Abstract: This paper applies an economic geographical perspective and Niche Construction Theory (NCT) to the spatial effects of the Christchurch earthquakes on the city's tourism and hospitality spaces. An analysis of policy and planning documents, relevant reports, and twenty-four semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders forms the empirical basis. Niche Construction Theory (NCT) offers an analytical framework to interpret the environmental selection pressures and key stakeholders' responses in the evolving environment. This paper illustrates the spatial reconstruction processes pertaining to urban tourism and the related hospitality industry after a major natural disaster. Emerging themes include displacement and relocation, demographic changes and market shifts for hospitality businesses. Highlights: Transformative impacts of the disaster recovery and urban renewal process identified. Evolutionary Economic Geography applied to spatial reconstruction for urban tourism. Distinct adaptation process of entrepreneurs during the aftermath of a major natural disaster. Niche Construction Theory used to explain post-disaster business behaviour. First application of Niche Construction Theory in tourism.