Contrived complementarity : transport logistics, official rhetoric and inter-island rivalry in the Azorean Archipelago

Abstract

At face value, the invitation looks fairly simple and straightforward: with multiple island destinations to choose from, and given enough inducement, a tourist may easily be swayed to sample them all. Island hopping is a growing sub-set of tourism practices, well established among yachters and cruise ship passengers; and with cyclists, as well as ferry, boat and air passengers following behind. Destination plurality is, in a sense, itself an alluring frontier that is being discovered by mainstream tourists (Keller, 1970; Sinclair, 1984; The Independent, 2011; Thorpe, 2009). One should not judge a book by its cover; indeed, one needs to dive into all its different chapters to enjoy, and get a proper sense of, the whole thing.