How do self-guided trails contribute to the creation of tourist spaces?

The published work and case for support which comprises this PhD thesis examines the field of self-guided trails and in particular addresses the research question: How do self-guided trails contribute to the creation of tourist spaces? The publications have been produced over a 13 year period and constitute a collection of conceptual and applied studies in the area. The body of work examines trails within the wider concept of the socio-cultural construction of place and their contribution to the formulation of static, themed settings is contrasted with their potential to encourage a more fluid and embodied approach to space where visitors are engaged with the places they visit. The case for support discusses the approach and methodology applied to the research, in particular the method of content analysis. It then goes on to examine the impact of the publications submitted, concluding that they have made a useful and original contribution to the tourism studies literature, in particular by exploring the experiential potential of trails and through the use of content analysis and typology-building to better understand this diverse sector