Revisitando as mobilidades turísticas: places to play, places in play

This essay aims to present and discuss key elements for the study of tourism and mobilities, as understood within the New Mobilities Paradigm. The central argument of this paper - based on the translation and extension of the introductory chapter of the book Tourism Mobilities: Places do Play, Places in Play (Sheller & Urry, 2004) – is that tourism develops from the elaboration (or invention) of tourist places ("places to play"). But, at the same time, metaphorically places are also on the move ("places in play"), indicating the mobility of lifestyles, worldviews and narratives that shape the flux of globally connected destinations. The work is also in dialogue with John Urry's reflections on futures, especially the criticism of the highly carbon-dependent capitalist society. The article ends with some reflections on the future of tourism in a (post-)pandemic context, in which tourism mobilities will potentially be influenced by the introduction of new health protocols and the likely emergence of new travel styles and demands.