The production of tourist spaces as a spatial fix

Abstract

Between the 1950s and 1970s, a massive tourism and real-estate boom took place in coastal Spain and, as a result, thousands of tourist spots appeared across the country. This paper aims to explain the production of those spots in the context of the broader dynamics of capital accumulation, thus following a political economy approach. The work starts with a brief outline of the concept of ‘spatial fix’ and the role of tourism within it. Then the paper analyses the physical production of the case studies of Platja de Palma and Magaluf (Mallorca, Spain) during the period studied – the Francoist tourism boom. Subsequently, the discussion shifts towards the examination of the capitals that promoted the physical production of the spots. This analysis is focused on three interrelated dynamics. First, on capital–space relationships, particularly on evidence of ‘geographical expansion’ and ‘switching’ of capital towards the areas studied. Second, it examines the appearance of a new capitalist class and the role of different state structures within capital shift dynamics. Third, it analyses the political and economic shifts inside Franco's regime related to tourism. In the conclusions, the need to broaden the concept of ‘spatial fix’ is stressed, and some future lines of research to continue this work are also outlined.