The sun, sea and sand model that has characterized the Spanish tourism sector and has caused Spain's tourist sector to become a world-class industry is actually undergoing drastic changes. This model is based on the existence of major tourism destinations characterized by high levels of industry specialisation, which makes them a target of analysis as tourism clusters in which the geographic concentration of synergies reinforces the competitive position. In this study, Spanish tourism clusters are identified using quantitative methods and the current validity of the economies of location that have made them possible are also analysed. Although all the identified clusters can be defined as mature and became less significant during the last decade in Spanish tourism, according to the results the creation of externalities measured in terms of higher generation of profit is higher in companies belonging to the tourism clusters than in those outside of them. 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Álvarez Gonzalez, J. A., & GONZÁLEZ MORALES, D. O. (2006). L’apprentissage, l’innovation et la compétitivité dans les clusters touristiques : une étude comparée entre l’Espagne et l’Italie. Revue d’Économie Régionale & Urbaine, octobre(4), 551. doi:10.3917/reru.064.0551

Álvarez Gonzalez, J.A., -GONZÁLEZ MORALES, D.O. (2006). Learning, innovation and competitiveness in tourism clusters: a comparative study between Spain and Italy. Urbaine Regional Economy Review, October (4), 551. doi:10.3917/reru.064.0551

The effects of localization on economic performance: analysis of spanish tourism clusters

Abstract