IN-PERSON ISTANBUL HERITAGE(S)

Abstract

In recent years, tourism has emerged as a key site of socio-political conflict across the globe, with a surge of community movements in high-pressure destinations and a proliferation of public discourses and cultural representations focusing on the detrimental effects of tourism for resident communities. Academic and public discussions of (over)tourism have generally analysed the socio-economic dimensions of this challenge, discussing topics such as housing and gentrification, precarious jobs, pressure on public services and destination management. By contrast, the symbolic aspects related to place identity and community belonging have tended to receive less attention. Pertinent to this, Albrecht has theorised the term ‘solastalgia’ to refer to the psychological distress caused by environmental change and dislocation, observing how the concept is relevant wherever a physical environment is transformed ‘by forces that undermine a personal and community sense of identity, belonging and control’ (2006: 35). Citing examples drawn particularly from the authors’ research in Cappadocia, Mallorca, Venice and Scotland, this paper will argue that solastalgia offers a productive framework to analyse the discursive and symbolic dimensions of the current critique of (over)tourism emerging in response to tourism-driven transformations in place, culture, community and heritage. Given how tourism is increasingly perceived by many as a disruptive and destabilising, even destructive, force, we analyse the affects mobilised in response to rapid tourism growth in cities, towns and neighbourhoods/mahalle. Ultimately, we will propose the term ‘tourism distress’ to describe the intensely emotional reactions and feelings of loss expressed by resident communities in (over)touristified destinations.