Peripherality—factor or feature? reflections on peripherality in tourism research

Abstract

The notion of peripherality is present in much tourism research, but is often applied in an implicit and unreflected manner. This article seeks to enhance the understanding of peripherality in tourism research by discussing the conditions upon which the concept is applied. For this purpose, an analytical framework is constructed, suggesting two predominant research perspectives: the concrete-practical perspective that is based upon objective characteristics of destinations, and the critical-reflexive perspective which views peripherality in terms of tourists' perceptions. Although spheres of convergence between the two exist, the tourism literature shows that their interdependence is not adequately acknowledged. As a consequence research into both demand for and supply of peripherality is subjected to assumptions of unchangeability as the atmosphere-creating feature. It is argued that unchangeability does not constitute the quintessence of peripherality. Therefore, developing peripheral regions and retaining peripherality-seeking tourist segments are not mutually exclusive strategies. Copyright © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.