New possibilities of GIS for mapping a mature destination: a case in Benalmádena, Spain

Abstract

With the development of Geographic Informational System (GIS), contemporary art mapping is emerging as a powerful tool for analysing and understanding the complex and subjective nature of mature tourist destinations. This paper explores the potential of implementing GIS for mapping Benalmádena (Costa del Sol, Spain), by proposing two methods of analysis with two graphic examples: first, an ecstatic-objective mapping of the cartography of water, based on a new expressive approach arising from the comparison of coastlines and pools; second, a dynamic-subjective mapping defining the touristic emotion mapping, which maps the opinions from TripAdvisor’s website. The mappings demonstrate: the destination’s transformation from sun-and-beach tourism to sun-and-water tourism, tourist clusters, and tourists’ preferred public spaces.

Keywords:

• Geographic Information System
• mapping
• mature destinations
• Costa del Sol
• public participation
• Internet users

Acknowledgements

This study was carried out as part of the Atlas del Turismo de la Costa del Sol research project funded by the Regional Government of Andalusia (Spain). We would like to thank Ricard Pie Ninot, head of the research group, and also the reviewers of this paper.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.