Major Infrastructure and Local Tourism: catalyst for development or the beginning of decline?

Abstract

This research looks at how tourism develops in geographically isolated areas where large infrastructure projects are introduced. It will use the development of an international airport in the Regency of Tana Toraja in Indonesia as the field location. Tourism development has tended to be seen through a historical lens, where we look back at past events and make conclusions from recorded outcomes. This research seeks to take a more dynamic look at factors influencing the trajectories of tourism development. To do this, it requires more than a historical look back at outcomes. It also requires analysis of the events that shape the path to tourism development as they occur. Evolutionary economic geography (EEG) is a useful foundation to apply to this research. However, while it contributes a basic conceptual framework, it lacks the ability to incorporate ‘in situ’ occurrences influencing the trajectory of tourism development. EEG also focuses on micro-level activity, which precludes the inclusion of broader interactions and relations. This research will therefore also apply elements of relational economic geography (REG) and institutional economic geography (IEG) approaches.