An investigation into the implications of popular tourist attractions
Author
Christensen, Mathias Qvist
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2019
Pages
75
Abstract
This thesis examines how popular tourist attractions shape perceptions of tourism, drive processes of urban change, and affect the management of tourism, focusing on three inner-city sites in Copenhagen: Nyhavn, Langelinie Quay, and Amalienborg Castle. By deconstructing mobility flows and place-consumption practices, it identifies the elements that structure movement and use of these attractions, with special emphasis on the role of tourism operators. The study combines mobile field observations, expert interviews with stakeholders in the Municipality of Copenhagen, and surveys of local residents, supported by desk research. Theoretically, it draws on touristification, social exchange theory, staging mobilities, and carrying capacity. The analysis argues that popular attractions influence how tourism is perceived through urban change and the requalification of public space to cater more directly to visitors. At the same time, observed practices and mobility flows have implications for the municipality’s political and practical objectives for tourism management. The thesis shows that these flows and practices are constituted by multiple elements, highlighting the particularly significant role of tourism operators, and offers insights relevant to managing visitor pressure in the Copenhagen context.
Specialet undersøger, hvilken betydning populære turistattraktioner har for opfattelsen af turisme, for processer af byomdannelse og for styring af turisme, med udgangspunkt i tre steder i det indre København: Nyhavn, Langelinie og Amalienborg. Gennem en dekonstruering af mobilitetsstrømme og stedskonsumtionspraksisser (forbrug af steder) identificeres de elementer, der former bevægelser og brug af attraktionerne, med særlig vægt på turismeaktørers rolle. Metodisk bygger studiet på mobile observationer i felten, ekspertinterviews med centrale aktører i Københavns Kommune samt spørgeskemaundersøgelser blandt lokale københavnere, suppleret af desk research. Teoretisk trækker specialet på begreber som turistificering, social bytte-teori, staging mobilities og bæreevne. Analysen peger på, at populære attraktioner påvirker opfattelsen af turisme gennem byomdannelse og omkvalificering af offentlige rum, så de i højere grad tilpasses turisme. Samtidig har de observerede praksisser og mobilitetsstrømme implikationer for kommunens politiske og praktiske mål for turismestyring. Specialet fremhæver, at disse strømme og praksisser består af mange elementer, hvor turismeoperatører spiller en særlig central rolle, og bidrager dermed med viden til håndtering af besøgsstrømme i en københavnsk kontekst.
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