Spatial correlations between tourism indicators to identify neighbourhoods under touristification processes. Mediterranean port cities as case studies

Abstract

The present work aims to define spatial correlations between indicators based on tourism variables which are quantitative and qualitative in nature. The main objective is to identify neighbourhoods where there is a conflict of interest between residents, tourists, hosts, catering sector and other stakeholders involved because of urban tourism. The methodology proposed is based on static and dynamic variables – population, short-term rentals, regulated tourist accommodations, catering facilities, cultural equipment and citizen initiatives– to measure the degree of overtourism. Research instruments are web scraping, open access data from local and regional governments, and most read local newspapers to create a database through Geographic Information System (GIS). Data collection has been analysed on a case-by-case basis with SPSS statistical treatment programme. These methods have been tested in three port cities from the Mediterranean arc: Malaga, Valencia and Palma de Mallorca; where average population is over half a million inhabitants. The key finding is the spatial correlations between indicators which show common patterns in the urban areas analysed by GIS mapping. On that basis, touristification thresholds have been established in order to measure "tourism gentrification" (Gotham, 2005) in-depth. The diagnosis presented may serve as a road map for local and regional administration to struggle with touristification through urban policy in the short- and medium-term. Furthermore, this work is open to new research considering new variables or redefining the existing ones, as well as new tourist destinations as case studies in order to build a comprehensive model which allows qualifying the scopes defined.