Applying an evolutionary approach to the sustainable long term development of cycle trails as tourism attractions. A case study of the Otago Central Rail Trail

Abstract

Research into how tourism destinations change over time has long been a topic of interest for scholars. One of the emerging approaches to research in this area has come from the field of Evolutionary Economic Geography. Those using concepts from this approach see tourism destinations as complex, open systems with numerous layers and multiple stakeholders and offer explanations for change that reflect contextual factors. This paper assesses whether frameworks associated with this approach may also be relevant to understanding change over time within other parts of the tourism system, such as tourist attractions. A case study of New Zealand's oldest and most popular destination cycle trail is used to explore whether these approaches can offer useful explanations as to how this attraction has changed over time and what factors have contributed to its long term development.