Changing aesthetics and the affluent elite in urban tourism place making

Urban tourism destinations, particularly those shaped by affluent elites, increasingly adopt 'styled-for-status' aesthetics that reflect the preferences of wealthy groups. This shift is driven by processes of commodification and mediatisation, where tourists and other stakeholders unconsciously align with elite aesthetic norms under neoliberal influences. The study introduces the concept of 'aesthetic common sense,' illustrating how both top-down placemaking (structural design) and bottom-up place-making (human agency) contribute to this phenomenon. Valletta, Malta's capital, serves as a case study, demonstrating how such dynamics create visually cohesive yet status-driven urban landscapes that influence tourism experiences.

Speake, J., & Kennedy, V. (2019). Changing aesthetics and the affluent elite in urban tourism place making. Tourism Geographies, 24(6-7), 1197–1218. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616688.2019.1674368