Tourism in European Cities explores the relationship between tourist activity and the architecture and built environment within which it takes place. This is the first book to consider urban tourism with a particular focus on European cities.
Tourism in European Cities considers the tourist experience and the various elements that shape it. In many cities, the historic core plays a crucial role in tourism either as the location of the more important attractions, or as an attraction in its own right. The book dedicates a chapter to urban heritage and its relationship to tourism, including urban conservation and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Another chapter considers contemporary architecture and debates some cities’ efforts to use iconic architecture, in particular, to enhance their attractiveness in the context of increased competition between cities. In the context of competition, many cities are resorting to events as a strategy to reposition and differentiate themselves from other cities. Major events are accompanied by major investment in event venues and in urban infrastructure. The city often serves as a backdrop to the urban festival as activities and performances are staged in the city’s urban spaces.
This book is essential reading for students of tourism and urban geography. It is also of interest to students of urban planning and architecture, and anyone keen to learn more about tourism and European cities.
John Ebejer is Senior Lecturer in the Institute for Tourism, Travel and Culture at the University of Malta. Before dedicating his time to academia, he worked as an architect, urban planner and tourism consultant.
Foreword
Preface
Dedication
1. Introduction
2. Cities in Competition
3. The Changing Dynamics of Tourism and Leisure
4. City Resources for Tourism (1): Areas in the City
5. City Resources for Tourism (2): Visitor Attractions
6. City Resources for Tourism (3): Accommodation and Other Facilities
7. Walking and the Tourist Experience
8. Meaning of Place and the Tourist Experience
9. Urban Conservation and the Tourist Historic City
10. Architecture and Tourism
11. Cities and Events
12. Post-Pandemic Prospects: Overtourism or ‘Undertourism’?
13. Conclusion
Appendix A: World Heritage Site Criteria for Cultural Properties
Appendix B: Historic City Areas Inscribed as World Heritage Sites
References and Notes
Bibliography
Index
This book provides a comprehensive and accessible analysis of urban tourism. John Ebejers background in architecture and planning, alongside his track record of tourism product development and tourism research, make him a knowledgeable guide to how built environments are shaped by tourism and experienced by tourists. — Andrew Smith, Professor of Urban Experiences, University of Westminster
Tourism is probably a short term to describe the societal embeddedness of a phenomenon that shapes our contemporary world: the multidimensional travel of people and imagination. This book permeates the enjoyment of travelling through a solid body of expertise, making it a reference for those who are planning to discover the complex relationship between cities and tourism. — João Rafael Santos, Assistant Professor at Lisbon School of Architecture, Universidade de Lisboa
John Ebejer brings a fresh Maltese perspective on European urban tourism, highlighting pedestrian engagement with architecture and space. His lucid arguments are widely case-illustrated, covering contemporary and tourist-historic city attractions. He gives thoughtful attention, beyond the tourist gaze, to recent developments such as short-break tourism, evolving photography impacts on personal space experience, the likely effects of Covid, and subsequent sustainability. — John Tunbridge, Professor Emeritus of Geography and Environmental Studies, Carleton University
These post-Covid-19 times are made for serious rethinks and reconsiderations. Amongst these is this fresh and sober look at tourism in (and for) European cities, from the vantage point of urban geography, urban planning and architecture. Ebejer walks us through European cityscapes with a brisk but easy step. Highly recommended. — Godfrey Baldacchino, University of Malta; president of International Small Islands Studies Association (ISISA).
