Emergence and Spread of Critical Discourses Opposing Tourism: The Case of Girona, an Urban Satellite Destination of Barcelona

This research analyses the construction of critical discourses on tourism in the city of Girona, an emerging urban satellite destination close to Barcelona. Qualitative interviews and thematic analysis are used to analyze the voices of stakeholders involved in the destination's social debate. Findings include the transformation of neighborhood identities, banalization and thematization, the massification of public spaces, an increase in the cost of buying and renting property, and a lack of tourism management. This study also suggests that the critical discourse found in Barcelona is being echoed by local residents in Girona. To our knowledge, no previous study has investigated this relationship to date. Findings from this research can be exported to other emerging urban destinations to help understand the complexities of the critical discourses on the negative effects of tourism, and the ways in which they are created, shared, exported and reproduced among destinations.

Automated summary

This research analyzes the construction of critical discourses on tourism in the emerging urban satellite destination of Girona. The study examines the transformation of neighborhood identities, banalization and thematization, massification of public spaces, increasing property costs, and lack of tourism management. The findings also suggest a connection between the critical discourse found in Barcelona and local residents in Girona. The research contributes to understanding the complexities of critical discourses on the negative effects of tourism and their dissemination among different destinations.