Topic 2.

THE TERRITORIAL AND HERITAGE BASIS

OF THE TOURISM ATTRACTIONS
2.1. Territory and landscape: territorial factors and
attractions

2.2. Territorial heritage and attractions

2.1. Territory and landscape: territorial
factors and attractions
TERRITORIAL TOURISM ATTRACTIONS
↓
Key concepts for a better understanding?

GEOGRAPHICAL SPACE
TERRITORY HERITAGE
(See following section:
2.2)

FACTORS ATTRACTIONS
LANDSCAPE
GEOGRAPHICAL SPACE

• It is a generic concept and reality.

• Talking about geographical spaces is not strictly correct.

• It refers to the global basis or setting for natural and human

processes.

• Complexity, (continuous) evolution and diversity.

 Source: Dermendzhiev, A. & Doykov, M. (2014). The
european space through the prism of geography. In
The overarching issues of the
european space: the territorial diversity of
opportunities in a scenario of crisis. Porto: Faculdade
de Letras da Universidade do Porto. Pp. 99-110.
https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/THE-EUROP
EAN-SPACE-THROUGH-THE-PRISM-OF-GEOGRAPHY-D
ermendzhiev-Doykov/8bcb46e5d4deb42e7d22447ca
eac81176e5045f1
TERRITORY

• It is a specific concept and reality.

• It refers to a concrete part of the geographical space (→ it must be well-

recognisable).

• It can be defined at any (geographical) scale.

• How can a territory be distinguished?

• How can a territory be distinguished?

• It is not an easy and absolute issue.

• Different territories may overlap (depending on the scale).

• However, different criteria can be used:

1. Similar (natural and/or cultural) features and well-defined boundaries (geographically and, usually,
legally).

2. Sense of belonging (by the community who lives in the territory and builds it).

3. Generator of a common heritage (See following section: 2.2).

• Each territory → Specific components (which define it) → FACTORS (See further in
this section).
Territories
 Tourism is a reality with an unequivocal territorial dimension.

(Unavoidable link Tourism-Territory)

Why?; How can it be explained?

 Tourism is always developed on a geographical area (→ Territory), it impacts on it

(physically and functionally) and it takes shapes on it.

 Territory →

It explains the tourism on it (existence, location, degree of development, character,

etc.) through different FACTORS (See further in this section).

It is affected by tourism (positively or negatively ).

 It explains tourism existence, location and
character
(through FACTORS)

It is affected by tourism (in different ways)

TERRITORY TOURISM

It always developes on it

It takes shapes and it impacts on it

PRACTICAL CASE → Aerial photograph of the
surroundings of Mijas-Costa (Artola - Cabopino area),
in the Western Costa del Sol (province of Malaga,
Andalusia).

- Photograph above (year 2016) → The strong

development of (residential) tourism can be clearly
seen, generating a diversity of products, which in most
cases have led to important physical effects
(conditioning of beaches, marinas, golf courses, urban-
residential complexes increasingly expanding inland,
proliferation of communication infrastructures,...), all
within the framework of a clearly recognisable and
consolidated tourist destination.

- Photograph below (1956, based on what is known as

the American Flight in the same year) → The low
degree of humanisation of the area prior to the
process of tourism development of this geographical
area for tourism can be seen.
1956
2016
(TERRITORIAL) FACTORS

• It refers to the elements which make up and define a territory.

• Territory as a complex issue

↓

• There is a wide range of (territorial) factors.

• They have a direct influence on tourism.

What are the main FACTORS and how do they influence tourism?
 Territorial factors → Structural (permanent) factors:

Location factors.

Environmental factors.
KEY ASPECT → They can be seen as a valuable issue
(Heritage and Attractions) thanks to the concept of
Natural factors.
LANDSCAPE.
Human factors.

Apart from the Other factors influencing tourism → Situational factors:

above
- Economic.
(but not considered
in the course) - Political and geopolitical.
- Personal.
LANDSCAPE
• It is a concept derived from the two previous ones (Space and Territory).

• Most widely definition accepted today? – European Landscape Convention

(Florence, 2000).

“Any part of the territory as perceived by the population, the character of

which is the result of the action and interaction of natural and/or human
factors“.

• Landscape is:
• The objective morphological configuration of the earth's surface.
• But also its representation, thus, the set of individual, social and cultural perceptions and
images that human beings have of this reality.

• Enviromental factors/features can be seen as a valuable issue (→ Heritage and

(TERRITORIAL) FACTORS

• Location factors

• An essential factor for tourism.

• What does it refer to?; How does it influence tourism?

↓

• It refers to the TOURIST GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION of a given territory/area

(destination) →
• Both the location of the area/destination in relation to the origin areas, as well as
in relation to other destinations.

• Location of a tourist area/destination → may be favourable or unfavourable.

• Favourable or unfavourable? → Main keys:

1. (Physical) distance → an obstacle, an element that differentiates some tourist areas

from others in relation to the degree of accessibility (from main origin areas, or/and
from other destinations).

• The impact/repercussion of this distance is mainly manifested through two variables

of greater significance (especially in the current context) →
• Distance-time.
• Distance-cost.

• In some cases, distance can be perceived as a positive factor (→ controlling and

selecting tourism flows).

2. Other unfavourable location → Proximity to higher ranking areas/destinations

(greater tourist attraction capacity) → Three possible situations:
 a) Consideration as complementary tourist areas. -

b) Attraction (and tourism development) on a smaller scale.

c) Exclusion from tourist flows (transit territories).

3. Favourable location → Where?

• Proximity and good communication with the origin areas.

• Optionally due to the proximity or connectivity with other destinations of a

similar tourist attraction capacity (→ a relationship defined in terms of
collaboration or complementarity –synergies- but also competitiveness).
↓
• In many cases → destinations in the context of wider Tourism Regions.
E.g. Mediterranean region, Scandinavia, Near East, Great Lakes (North
America), etc.
 UNFAVOURABLE
LOCATIONS →

Many countries and regions

receive less tourism than
would be appropriate for the
intrinsic value of their
resources due to their distance
and isolation from main origin
areas.
E.g. Eastern Europe, Central
Asia, Oceania, Africa, South
America

World tourism income in 2018

Source: https://www.visualcapitalist.com/map-worlds-top-countries-tourism/
 UNFAVOURABLE LOCATIONS →

Tourism areas near other ones with more attraction capacity.

Northern Italy main

urban tourism
destinations
vs
other urban
destinations with
less attraction
capacity
 FAVOURABLE LOCATIONS →
Proximity to origin areas.

Majority origin of foreign tourists in

European countries (2019), where the
location influence (proximity) can be
clearly observed.

Source: https://landgeist.com/2022/06/28/foreign-tourists/
FAVOURABLE LOCATIONS →
Proximity and synergies to
other destinations.

The famous Andalusian tourism

triangle (integrating the main
regional destinations: Seville,
Cordoba and Granada).

This is increasingly becoming a

rhombus (by including Malaga)

Source: Andalusian Land Regional Plan (

https://www.juntadeandalucia.es/export/drupaljda/pota_completo.pdf)
 FAVOURABLE LOCATIONS →
Proximity and synergies to other
destinations (usually in the
framework of Tourism Regions).

Suggested tour integrating different main

tourism destinations in Scandinavia region.

Source: https://www.affordabletours.com/t/111158-complete-scandinavia
• Environmental factors

• What does it refer to?- The geographical specificity of each sector of the space
(territory), which makes up the environment defined by it.

• Geographical specifity?

• Natural components → Climate, relief, water, biotic environment. An interaction

between all of
them
• Human components → The process of humanisation.

KEY
How is tourism influenced by them? ISSUE
 • How is tourism influenced by them?

• (Natural and human) Factors create environmental conditions that enable, hinder or
prevent human settlement and activities.

• And some activities/sectors are specially dependent on those factors →

E.g. TOURISM.
↓

• In general → Factors influence the presence (or not) of tourism, its location and
character/typology (← depending on the specificity of each factor).
KEY
ISSUE
• More specifically → Factors can also be seen as valuable factors → Attractions (and
Heritage –See next section-).
CLIMATE

• Climate as a general factor:

• Tourism (as a human activity frequently carried out outdoors) is decisively

influenced by the climate.

• In contrast to other factors → Climate exerts a well-recognisable influence →

Climate zoning of the world (depending on a key feature: latitude).

• In small scales.

• In large scales → Zoning can be partially modified depending on other features: altitude and
distance to sea.

• A clear and decisive influence on tourism.

↓
• World climate zoning

← Latitude as the main explanatory feature

Main climate zones →

• Koppen climate classification

Five main climate groups: A (tropical), B (arid), C (temperate), D (continental), and E (polar).
 • Greater or lesser suitability of different zones for the development of tourism
activities.

• More suitable zones: Temperate (mainly Mediterranean and Oceanic), Tropical (not
Equatorial).

• Seasonality.

• Variability depending on the hemisphere.

• Need to take into account climate specific conditions for different

tourism activities.
• Specific conditions for different tourism activities.

Source:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/257227515_Thermal_and_ventilation_pe
rformance_of_a_naturally_ventilated_sports_hall_within_an_aquatic_centre
• Climate as a tourism attraction:

• In addition to being a mere location factor (enabling or preventing tourism), the

climate can become a resource, a specific factor/element of attraction (by
generating goods or services - products, in short - directly dependent on specific and
specifically valued climate conditions-).
↓

• However, climate can not be a sufficient argument to define a tourism attraction by

itself.
↓

• A very important feature → Climate lacks of physical territoriality.

↓

• Neccesary interaction with other environmental factors (water, relief, flora-fauna).

• Those other factors provide the component of physical territoriality.
• Definition of areas (on a global or regional scale) that are particularly
suitable for tourism -under different typologies-, based on the
confluence of certain climate conditions with other specific
environmental factors.

• Some significant EXAMPLES in this respect:

• Sun and beach tourism in low coastal areas in temperate-warm and tropical latitudes.

• Snow tourism in mountainous areas of temperate latitudes.

• Ecotourism (safaris, submarine...) in tropical latitudes.

Cancún (México), 21 degrees North (tropical latitude)
 Great Barrier Reef
(Eastern coast of Australia).
Afriski Ski Resort (Lesotho, Southern Africa),
28 degrees South.
• A singular process →
Some climate negative conditions increasingly considered as tourism
attractions.

• As a response to more specific or new tourism modalities.

• Very low degree of humanisation (→ natural attractiveness).

• EXAMPLES:

• Strong winds (concrete areas) → Sport tourism.

• Extreme temperatures (polar latitudes) → Adventure tourism.

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlfJdbKTqF4
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPGEGEBb6PE
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOZ8V65RMvQ
EXAMPLE: Strong wind as a tourism attraction

Source:
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/3926/the-strait-of-gi
braltar-in-3d
Strong and continuous gusts of wind in the area
around the Strait of Gibraltar (Tarifa, Cadiz), which
makes it possible to consolidate its position as one of
the most important destinations in the world for
wind sports tourism.
• A key issue related to the climate → Climate change and implications for tourism.

PRACTICAL WORK 3: Carrying out an Overview about this issue (Climate change-Tourism) by using
different texts/documents (until + 0,5):

- Climate change: implications for tourism

https://www.cisl.cam.ac.uk/system/files/documents/ipcc-ar5-implications-for-tourism-briefing-prin.p
df

- UNWTO: Transforming tourism for climate action

https://www.unwto.org/sustainable-development/climate-action

- Declaration → The Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism (2021).

https://www.unwto.org/the-glasgow-declaration-on-climate-action-in-tourism

- Report → Climate action in the tourism sector: An overview of methodologies and tools to
measure greenhouse gas emissions (march, 2023).
https://www.unwto.org/methodologies-and-tools-to-measure-greenhouse-gas-emissions
https://www.e-unwto.org/doi/epdf/10.18111/9789284423927
RELIEF

• Relief as a general factor.

• Main dynamics? → The complexity of the relief.

• Depending on two variables: altitude and slope.

• Complexity has traditionally worked as a limiting factor → Why?

• Inaccessibility.

• Negative perception (repulsion) of many complex reliefs.

• Examples → Very high mountain ranges seen as dangerous, in confluence with other factors, such as
climate (extreme cold, aridity, etc.), or even an unfavourable tourist location.

• Complex reliefs → frequent incompatibility with activities/functions that are developed

on them (agricultural –forestry, livestock farming-, nature conservation).
 Complex reliefs perceived as unattractive, due to the confluence of different factors.

Mountains in Yakutia (Russia), the coldest

High mountain landscape in Ladakh (disputed region in the world (except for Antarctica)
territory between India and Pakistan). Negative factors: complexity, extreme cold, together
Negative factors: complexity, high inaccessibility, aridity, with location and geopolitical factors.
together with location and geopolitical factors.
Complex reliefs where compatibility between tourism and other functions is not always easy or possible.

Livestock farming
in Swiss Alps.

Wildlife warning in Flathead National

Forest (Montana, USA).
• Relief as a tourism attraction.

• Despite the limitation of complex reliefs, this is increasingly being overcome by man
(with a mainly tourism motivation –moreover-).
↓

• Growing location of tourism in complex (mainly mountainous) reliefs →

• They are increasingly perceived as attractive by themselves → Singular/spectacular formations.
• In some cases → They contain other attractions (natural and/or anthropic) of great interest.

↑
• Factor > Attraction → This change is developed from a double basic motivation:
nature/interpretation, and sport/adventure.

• However, this is still a relatively specific reality (mainly limited to those countries that
are more advanced and located in mid-latitudes –a favourable location factor- and/or
very complex reliefs of exceptional attraction).
Complex reliefs increasinginly perceived as tourism attractions by themselves due to their spectacular scenery.

Fuji volcano Grand Canyon

(Japan). (Arizona, USA).
 Fjords Giant´s Causeway
(Norway). (Northern Ireland).
Complex reliefs increasinginly perceived as tourism attractions by themselves due to their spectacular scenery.

Nature/interpretation motivation

Glacial valley with Mount Cervino or Matterhorn in Adishi Glacier in Greater Caucasus Mountain Range
the background (Georgia).
(Swiss/Italian Alps). It is an attraction of great intrinsic value, but less
known due to the location factor.
Complex reliefs increasinginly perceived as tourism attractions by themselves due to their spectacular scenery.

Sport motivation

Aspen Ski resort, one of the biggest in the world

(Rocky Mountains, Colorado, USA).
Other natural/cultural attractions present in complex reliefs.

Horse’s Tail waterfall

(Pyrenees Mountain Range)
Machu Picchu Inca Sanctuary, at over 2500 metres high
(Peruvian Andes)
WATER

• Water as a general factor.

• In general, water is seen as a favourable factor for tourism (as it

constitutes a positive element for human presence and activity).
↑
• Climate conditions: sufficient but not excessive water supply.

• Impact and perception of water as a negative factor is certainly

exceptional.
↓
• Generally associated with situations of scarcity/absence of water (arid climates),
or, on the contrary, excessive humidity (equatorial/wet tropical climate).
The overabundance or scarcity of water means, as a general rule, unfavourable situations for tourism.
• Water as a tourism attraction.

• In contrast to other factors, water is often seen as a factor with an intrinsic attraction
value → A great capacity to generate tourism.
↓

• Moreover, water takes many different attractive forms (→ aquatic areas), considering its
interaction with other natural factors.
• Sea and shores, continental waters (rivers, lakes, reservoirs, waterfalls, etc.), ice and snow (glaciers,
icebergs, etc.), thermal waters.

• Many tourism forms (typologies) are directly related to that →

• Sun and beach tourism, nature tourism (ecotourism), sports or adventure tourism (in many different
forms), spa and health tourism, winter tourism,...

• Even some scarce-water or over-water areas may be perceived as attractive (by

specialised visitors), on the basis of their exceptional nature or the presence of other
attractions of special interest.
In the case of water, the transition from a simple tourism factor to a tourism attraction is common.
This transition is associated with the presence of many different forms of the water factor in the territory
(generally –although not necessarily- in interaction with other factors) → Tourism specialisation.

Tourists looking at an iceberg.

Smooth transition between sea

and land.
It is a very favourable landscape for Source-spring of water with
tourism attraction, in interaction with
specific properties (termal
other factors, such as climate and
relief.
waters).
Some water environment components are perceived as so specific and valuable elements that have a degree of
attractiveness on an international scale.

Dead Sea Perito Moreno Glacier

(Israel and Jordan border). (Patagonia, Argentina).
Some water environment components are perceived as so specific and valuable elements that have a degree of
attractiveness on an international scale.
1

Victoria Falls
Danube River (Zambia and Zimbabwe frontier).
In many aquatic areas, different tourism products may be developed (based on water possibilities → different
experiences)

Jet d’Eau (Geneva) and nautical tourism products across the Leman Lake
The absence of water does not generally favour the presence of tourism, although a particular desert
landscape can be perceived as attractive and therefore be valued as a tourism attraction.

Tourist caravan in the Sahara desert.

In other cases this can be explained by the presence –in an arid area- of other attractive components.

Volcanic landscape of Timanfaya National Park

Fuente:
(Lanzarote Google
Island, Earth.
Canary Islands, Spain).
BIOTIC ENVIRONMENT (plan and animal life)

• Biotic environment as a general factor.

• In contrast to other factors, it is not a perfectly recognisable factor in the

development of the tourism activity.
↓
• Why? → Not all formations with a well-developed plant and/or animal life are
shaped as favourable ones for tourism development.

• Quite often → Biotic environments perceived –by users or tourism agents- as

dangerous or unhealthy areas, or simply because of the need to ensure the
conservation of such areas.

• Opposite case → Biotic components or formations of exceptional singularity

and, therefore, are perceived and valued as tourism attractions by themselves.
Some biotic areas are considered as not suitable for tourism due to danger, health or conservation reasons.

Rainforest (equatorial forest),

an area where there is no
almost tourism
Specific biotic components perceived and valued as tourism attractions

Whale watching and Sequoia watching

(California, USA)
Some specific biotic components are perceived and valued as tourism attractions on a international scale

Safari in Serengeti National Park (Tanzania)

and the Great Migration (Masai Mara, Kenya)
HUMAN FACTORS (Humanisation process)

• As a general factor.

• Elements introduced by human action on the natural environment.

↓
• What are these factors?

• Not differentiated factors.

• A global factor → HUMANISATION PROCESS.
↓
• What does it refer to?- The occupation, settlement and exploitation/transformation of
the natural environment.
• A generalised process on a planetary scale.
• A historical and current factor.
• Many specific features.
↓
 ↓
• A disparate influence.
• On the environment and human activity.
• On tourism.

↑
• What does it depend on?
• The intensity of such occupation and transformation.
• Above all, the character assumed by it.

• From a structural point of view → A more or less correct/harmonious

development of the humanisation process, considered both in itself and in its
integration with the different natural environments.
↓

• Negative impacts vs Culture (key concept).

• Culture →

• A legacy (in the broad sense) of any social group → history and ways of life, and their
derived (territorial or non-territorial) manifestations.

Culture = Human features as distinctive and valuable components.

↓
Frequent consideration as Tourism attractions.

• Culture manifests itself in many different ways → Territorial manifestations:

• Agricultural areas and crops.
• Mine areas.
• Infrastructures, urbanisation, constructions and buildings.

• When this cultural legacy reaches a notable entity/relevance and significance in its constructive
manifestations, and is therefore exceptional → Component of monumental character.
Harmonious development of the process of humanisation, based on traditional agricultural activities,
which leads to a high quality and uniqueness of the landscape.

Characteristic countryside of the Tuscany region (central-western Italy), an area with a high quality and singularity
of landscape, and, therefore, a highly attractive tourism area.
Harmonious development of the process of humanisation, based on traditional agricultural
activities, resulting in a high quality and uniqueness of the landscape.

Vineyards in the Palatinate region (Germany), a highly attractive tourism area.

Harmonious development of the process of humanisation, based on a constructive development
of a historical/traditional character and very well integrated with its natural surroundings and
landscape.
Pictures of the town of Vejer de la Frontera (Cádiz), a characteristic white Andalusian village with Hispano-
Muslim urban roots.
 Degree of monumental character (exceptionality) evident in the development of some
urbanisation and building processes.
Pictures of the town of Ronda (Málaga), with some of its most characteristic monumental elements:
Puente Nuevo (New Bridge) and Plaza de Toros (Bull ring).
 Disruption of harmony in the development of the process of humanisation and urbanisation,
based on a phenomenon of new, massive, uncontrolled and dispersed real estate development,
which breaks with the historical construction process of a compact nature and, therefore, with
the harmony of the landscape.
Image of the foothills of the Sierra Morena de Córdoba.
2.2. Territorial heritage and attractions
• Heritage = another basic concept for attractions´ understanding.
↓
• Why? Heritage boosts tourism attractiveness.

• How can it be defined?-

A set of cultural and natural elements inherited in a given geographical area

(territory), which have a high degree of acceptance and social
recognition/valuation, as well as an identity character for the community.
↓

• Linkage Territory-Heritage (key issue).

• Concept of Heritage → An evolution over time.

• A traditional vision →

• Heritage essentially linked to the aesthetic.

• Focus on the singular or –even- exceptional element.

• And a fundamental –almost exclusive- application of the concept to cultural

heritage.
↓
• And, within it, to historical-artistic heritage.
↓
• And, more particularly, to the monument as an outstanding element.
• More recent/novel vision of Heritage → A broader, more comprehensive
vision →

• Consideration not only of the outstanding or monumental components.

• Also → Those territorial elements lacking such outstanding character but

recognised as valuable (by many reasons, not only aesthetic but of very different
character: historical, natural, and even ethical, scientific or pedagogical).

• Also → An integrating vision of natural and cultural values (← a gradual reunion

of the natural and cultural dimensions of any territory, which for a long time have
been considered separately).

• From this new vision or perspective, it is possible to speak of (territorial)

heritage assets/elements/values.
• Not all tourism attractions have a heritage base, but most part of
them do (Key issue).

• How Heritage value can be defined?

↓
(Legal) Declaration/Protection/Preservation.

• In many different ways.

• It depends on:
• Institution (international, national, regional or –even- local).
• Territorial context.
• Type of heritage: natural, cultural or mixed.