From heritage to hyper-reality? Tourism destination development in the Middle East between Petra and the Palm

Tourism development in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is increasingly characterized by 'hyper-real' destinations, which blend symbolic value with global competitiveness, contrasting starkly with stagnating heritage sites like Petra. This study applies postmodern theory to interpret how projects such as Sharm El-Sheikh and Dubai's Palm Islands dominate tourism landscapes through constructed hyperrealities, suggesting this model will shape future destination development in the region. The research draws on Eco and Baudrillard's frameworks to analyze the transformation of tourism spaces, offering a critical perspective on the evolution of Arab world destinations.

Steiner, C. (2010). From heritage to hyper-reality? Tourism destination development in the Middle East between Petra and the Palm. Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change, 8(4), 240–253. https://doi.org/10.1080/14766825.2010.521245