Image: Bjørn Heidenstrøm/Wikimedia Commons
Image: Bjørn Heidenstrøm/Wikimedia Commons
A research theme within the Department of Geography is Tourism, which deals with temporary mobility, where people travel to and from places for a limited time and for various purposes. This creates consequences for society, places, businesses, and individuals, which is the focus of this profile.
Tourism geography deals with the causes and consequences of people's travel. Sometimes, tourism can act as a substitute for shrinking industries in rural areas.
Tourism can also lead to migration and immigration to attractive places, as well as increased economic activity. This can also lead to negative aspects such as local inflation, segregation, and conflicts.
The research touches on areas such as
Since tourism involves mobility, this phenomenon connects different places geographically. This leads to an increased understanding of where tourists meet their needs in various contexts and at different times. Planning for tourism is needed to create as positive consequences as possible for communities and to minimize the negative effects of this phenomenon.
The tourism research group at Umeå University now presents Tourism Geography – Annual Report 2025, an overview of an eventful year marked by strong scientific output, new research projects, and significant international visibility. The research primarily focuses on tourism in Arctic and rural environments, where issues related to climate change, migration, regional development, and second-home ownership are central.
The report shows that the group has continued to strengthen its profile through publications in leading journals, participation in conferences, and media contributions that support public debate and policy development. Among this year's achievements are several externally funded projects, where the EU and Swedish research councils have enabled in-depth studies on regenerative Arctic tourism, social infrastructure in rural areas, and retail dynamics in peripheral regions.
Read the full report here:
Tourism Geography - Annual Report 2025.pdf (10.3 MB)
The following researchers and doctoral students at the Department of Geography are active in tourism and sustainable development research.
The following courses offered by the Department of Geography are related to the research theme of tourism geography.
Sustainability, destinations, and regional development
Tourism and sustainable development
