Tourism in the Age of Mobility: Fading Frontiers?

Abstract

The present study examined to what extent tourism is present in the stay of professional visitors in Barcelona, Spain. Increased opportunities in mobility and ICTs may facilitate this combination of professional and touristic activities. Following the literature, it is hypothesized that this group increasingly includes touristic activity in their professional stay, which may be performed at everyday locations such as workplace and hotel location. After a quantitative analysis of conference visitors’ activities, it was found that tourism and professional activity intermingle in the Barcelona context. However, contrary to expectations, touristic activities were mainly performed at the conventional tourism areas of the city. Furthermore, the use of (public) transport and mobile ICT-devices seem to facilitate touristic activity. The findings indicate that tourism is no longer a single, isolated activity, and should increasingly be seen in relation to daily life activities. The case of professional travel triggers further consequences for tourism research, professional life and urban contexts.