Jan-Henrik Nilsson

Frequent flyer programmes and the reproduction of aeromobility

It is now increasingly recognized that aviation is an important driver of individual and global mobility. Growth in mobility is not evenly distributed, however: recent studies indicate that a relatively small, highly mobile part of society may account for a large share of the total distances travelled. In reviewing one of the processes that may lead to growth in individual aeromobility, the paper focuses on frequent flyer programmes (FFPs) as an institutionalized framework for high mobility, detailing how these programmes reward and thus increase interest in aeromobility. Results are linked to a number of observations regarding the interrelationship of high mobility and social status, and substantiated by a survey of FFP members and their perspectives on benefits provided by such programmes. It is argued that FFPs reward high mobility and discursively interlink frequent flying with social status, which is an important element in the development of mobility patterns which shape and create the social structures that ‘necessitate’ air travel.

Cittáslow. Eco-gastronomic heritage as a tool for destination development

Slow Food has gained considerable attention as a social movement trying to counteract increasing globalisation in eating habits and food production. Cittáslow, a network of towns, are working with qualitative local urban development, based on similar principles as Slow Food. The ‘slow’ movements could be expected to have influences on tourism development. This possible connection has been neglected in the scientific tourism literature. Based on a study in three Cittáslow towns in Northern Italy, this article concentrates on how destination development is conducted in a Cittáslow context, unveiling some contradictions between the commercial sides of tourism and the non-commercial ethos of the Cittáslow movement. The studied towns were involved in various efforts in the field of sustainable planning, thereby also improving destination specific resources and local identity. One example is their focus on ‘slow’ events, mainly based on local gastronomy. Tourism marketing was, however, only of secondary importance; which mirrors some scepticism towards mass tourism and commercialisation, and even against marketing as such. Despite this, the Cittáslow concept may have an indirect potential for tourism development by improving product development and increased visibility. The risks involved concern gentrification and overexploitation.

Creating Cross‐Border Destinations: Interreg Programmes and Regionalisation in the Baltic Sea Area

Abstract European Union financed Interreg programmes focusing on cross‐border region building form an important part of the EU integration policy. The region building processes involve many fields of action in which destination development is one. In this article, the latest finished programme, Interreg III, will be highlighted with special focus on cross‐border regions in the Baltic Sea Area. The purpose is to analyse how regional identities are re‐presented and re‐negotiated in connection with cross‐border tourism destination development. These questions are analysed with the help of a methodology based on storylines using three selected programme regions as case studies. In our analysis we have found three storylines that in different ways enlighten our understanding of these regions’ (actual and possible) political identities: the notion of borders, the practice of history and the future‐oriented visions. The study reveals the presence of two fundamental and contradictory visions grounded in the European project: regionalisation and internationalisation. It also shows that the cross‐border region co‐operation processes share a narrative characterised by liberal economic rationality. Political issues are downplayed in relation to economic issues, even though in the case of tourism political issues like regional identity are not possible to avoid.

Tourist responses to extreme environmental events: the case of Baltic Sea algal blooms

The natural environment is an important element in destination choice. Regional environmental change and extreme environmental events including outbreaks of species perceived as disturbing to tourists or diminishing perceived environmental quality should consequently affect tourism. However, few studies appear to have investigated these interrelationships in particular with a view to climate change, which in the future is likely to fundamentally affect landscapes, ecosystems and individual species. Coastal landscapes and marine environments are of particular importance in this context, as nature-based tourism and sun, sand and sea tourism constitute two of the most important sub-sectors of global tourism. Focusing on algal blooms occurring in the Baltic Sea in the period 2002–2006, this article investigates tourist reactions to these events in southern Sweden. Results from an online survey with 3,217 respondents indicate that perceptions of algal blooms vary widely, ranging from disinterest to annoyance and avoidance. Results also indicate that a significant share of respondents have shortened or cancelled their holidays in the regions affected because of algal blooms. Insights derived from responses are also discussed in the context of media reports on algal blooms.

Memory tourism in a contested landscape: exploring identity discourses in Lviv, Ukraine

The study explores divergent representations and cultural identity in a historically contested landscape. The first form of representations includes politically amended place marketing. It is analysed how public discourse on a city’s development and regeneration articulates inscriptions of local authorities to pursue political-economic agendas. The second form of representations is diaspora’s imaginary of a pedigree place that derives from genealogical research and travel. In this way, genealogy enables counter-memories to uncritical marketing and ‘alternative’ voices in recast of local history. A contested landscape is conceptualized through politics of past to reflect stakeholders’ present-day concerns. The empiric study is conducted in Lviv, a city with complicated past and national identity due to shifting powers. The fieldwork comprises the ongoing marketing campaign in Lviv launched in connection to the Euro-2012, and the Polish, Jewish and West-Ukrainian diasporic representations. The findings show how the nationalistic and the Eurocentric meta-narratives embed the identity discourses of Lviv official élite, and how diasporic texts suggest a genre of resistance to the marketing scripts.

International Business Travel in the Global Economy. Beaverstock, J. V., Derudder, B., Faulconbridge, J. and Witlox, F. (eds)

© The author 2011 Geografiska Annaler: Series B