Beyond the tourist bubble? Cruiseship passengers in port

Cruiseship passengers on a port visit were studied using observation research methods. The cruiseship sector is described briefly, and the evolution of the concept of tourist bubble is reviewed. The study was carried out in Zihuatanejo, Mexico. Observations were made of tourists from four cruiseships. The research generated both qualitative and quantitative data. The results show that passenger activities in port consist of four activity patterns. The area in port visited was identified as a tourist bubble consisting of a core and a periphery. Strong boundary cues define the spatiality of this space. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.