Designing destinations for good: Using design roadmapping to support pro-active destination development. (July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Koens, Ko; Smit, Bert; Melissen, Frans
• Is Part Of: Annals of tourism research. Volume 89(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-07
• Subjects: Destination management -- Visitor flows -- Place design -- Tourism design -- Tourism planning -- Evolutionary economic geography; Tourism -- Periodicals
• DOI: 10.1016/j.annals.2021.103233
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0160-7383

Abstract

Abstract: This conceptual paper develops and justifies a pro-active, design-driven approach to sustainable destination development. Using insights from design science, it helps explain the limited practical usability of concepts such as the Tourism Area Life Cycle, by noting that these often focus on an aggregated 'topological' level of destination design, while a focus on experiences and product development on a 'typological' and 'morphological' level is key to constitute change. The 'Tourism Destination Design Roadmap' is introduced, its potential to scrutinise 'visitor flows' is explored as well as ways in which it can contribute to developing desirable qualities in a destination, while minimising negative impacts. The paper concludes by highlighting its conceptual contribution and identifying directions for future research. Highlights: Uses insights from design science to explain complexity of 'managing' tourism Builds on 'visitor flows' to provide a pro-active destination design perspective Presents and operationalises a roadmapping approach to tourism design Discusses implications for sustainable tourism development in practice