Urban tourism has assumed a central role in the economic, social, and cultural dynamics of European cities, reflecting the ongoing changes in the contemporary urban context (Di Bella, 2022). The role of geography in analysing and interpreting the transformations of tourist sites within cities becomes even more relevant in light of the new challenges and opportunities related to sustainability, urban regeneration, and social inclusion. For instance, the success of the city-break in contemporary tourism is the result of a complex interplay between global and local factors. On the one hand, globalization and technological innovation have made urban travel more accessible and desirable, while on the other hand, urban policies—primarily aimed at the revitalization of historic centres, the enhancement of cultural heritage, and the promotion of tourism—have contributed to strengthening the appeal of cities as tourist destinations (Ruggiero, 2008; Barata-Salgueiro et al., 2017). In this context, urban tourism has influenced the demographic trends of historic centres: initially encouraging the revaluation of these spaces, but more recently contributing to a decline in residential density due to the short-term rental phenomenon. Similarly, other temporary phenomena associated with urban tourism, such as mega events, can alter the socio-economic balance of urban centres and the everyday living spaces, which may appear fragile and limited in scale, thus being unsuitable to support new functions or accommodate high visitor flows (De Iulio, 2020).

The session aims to analyse the emerging trends and challenges that urban tourism poses to European cities, with particular focus on the sustainability and resilience of urban destinations in a context of continuous change. Contributions exploring theoretical approaches, methodological frameworks, and empirical experiences are encouraged, with a transdisciplinary perspective aimed at fostering an inclusive debate.

The session will focus on various aspects of urban tourism, including, but not limited to:

– emerging tourism practices and the impacts of tourism on urban socio-spatial dynamics;

– tourism governance and planning strategies in European cities;

– tourism as a driver of gentrification and inequalities;

– evolution of urban destinations: new models and new forms of tourism.