The Spatial distribution patterns of sun-and-beach tourism in non-coastal municipalities: a methodological design and application in the Costa Brava destination brand (Catalonia, Spain)

Abstract

The objective of this article was to understand the spatial distribution of sun-and-beach tourism in non-coastal municipalities. The study, which is based on the perception of accommodation managers, shows that Euclidean distance provides the best explanation for the spatial distribution of littoral tourism. We can develop a new profile of sun-and-beach tourists who search for peaceful inland lodgings in natural and rural areas. We also suspect that greening plays a role in sun-and-beach tourism, where guests search for accommodations that are close to both the sea and protected natural areas. We also showed disengagement between brand image and demand behavior