1. Critical views of research Can the high speed rail reinforce tourism attractiveness? The case of the high speed rail between Perpignan and Barcelona Sophie Masson, Romain Petiot (2009) ETH Urban & Spatial Economics 13.12.13 Acebillo Pablo Niedermaier Mathias

2. 1. Content

3. 1.1. The lessons of the New Economic Geography Popular view: More infrastructure as sufficient instrument of regional development NEG: transport costs affect decision making of the economic agents Lower transportation cost: agglomeration forces tend to dominate Higher transportation cost: dispersion forces tend to dominate

4. Tourism as a product mainly compound of: Transport Food accomodation Tourist as homo oeconomicus, tends to reduce costs (traveltime) appears, that the introduction of a high speed rail can improve a regions utility for tourists cheaper transport of goods Demand side Supply side Agglomeration force tends to dominate - Reinforce of tourism firms in the most developed region 1.2. Effects of transport infrastructure on tourism activities

5. 1.3. HSR as development tool – lessons from the past Conditions for benefits of HSR existence of strong local potentialities existence of local strategies Development of specific tourism, such as urban tourism and business tourism

6. Effects of HSR selective HSR permits to develop business/urban tourism Reinforcement of tourism industry in developed areas Perpignan risks to lose attractiveness in favor of Barcelona =>Areas affected by new transport facilities should differentiate their touristic sector 1.4. Implementation of the line Barcelona – Perpignan and Conclusions

7. 2. Evaluation

8. 3. Critic Conclusion of the article: Perpignan won’t benefit as much as Barcelona from HSR connection Might be true but they didn’t take into account several important things: Future direct HSR connection with Barcelona AIRPORT (35 mio. pass.) Barcelona as the second cruise HARBOUR in the world (3 mio. pass.) For Perpignan, access to intercontinental airport in 1.5 h With strong marketing campaign, Perpignan as one-day trip for cruise visitors AGREEMENTS WITH AIRLINE COMPANYS FOR INTER-BOARDING DIRECT ACCESS TO THE TOURISTIC CENTRALITY OF BARCELONA NEW TOURISTIC OFFERS

9. Range of Barcelona with HSR

10. Range of Perpignan with HSR

11. Barcelonas HSR - Airport connection