Most communities across the United States and Canada have economies based on the manufacturing; insurance, banking, and finance; services; the retail sector; or perhaps a combination thereof. But there are a fair number of cities and towns in the United States and Canada where much of the economy is influenced by travel, entertainment, and thematic tourism. I refer to these communities as “Dislandias.”

Granted, nearly every decent-sized metropolitan area has some small pockets of Dislandia land uses, but for this post I am referring to those communities whose image, perception, and primary focus tends to be on tourism. Dislandia land uses could include the tourist sights themselves, hotels, motels, restaurants, gift shops, museums, theaters, indoor or outdoor recreational activities, and the occasional tourist trap.

Dislandia’s themselves can be separated into several categories largely based on the primary attraction, though this attraction may not be the community’s only tourism feature. For example, until gambling was allowed in Atlantic City, the beach and the Boardwalk were its primary attractions. Williamsburg, Virginia is another example – originally know for its history, the city is also famous for Busch Gardens. The five thematic categories are cultural/historic; eco-tourism; entertainment/theme park; fun and sun; and outdoor superstore/outlet center.

Cultural/historical: some examples of these Dislandias are provided below and range from communities containing national historic sites/parks, to major battlefields, to ethnic/cultural enclaves like Amish communities, to historic re-creations like Colonial Williamsburg or Mystic Seaport.

Frankenmuth, Michigan

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Mackinaw City-St. Ignace, Michigan

Mystic, Connecticut

Shipshewana, Indiana

Solvang, California

Williamsburg, Virginia

Eco-tourism: versions of this kind of Dislandia are usually situated near the entrance to a major national park or other major natural feature. While many local/regional natural attractions tend to stay relatively small, Wisconsin Dells is an excellent example of one that has grown quite large and has remained popular.

These Dislandias seem to have the greatest variation of land use and zoning controls ranging from the serene and subtle beauty of Banff to the gaudy, glitz and glitter of Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge. Often, because of the rugged terrain, these communities will develop in a linear pattern that follows the main highway route into and out-of-town.

Banff, Alberta

Estes Park, Colorado

Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Hot Springs, Arkansas

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Kalispell-Whitefish, Montana

Niagara Falls, Ontario

Rapid City, South Dakota

West Yellowstone, Montana

Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

Entertainment/theme park: the examples listed below are centered around large theme parks and/or a cluster of entertainment venues. These places will tend to be the largest Dislandias in terms of area population, attendance, air and ground traffic, promotion, image, commerce, regional and national impact, and land coverage.

Anaheim, California

Arlington, Texas

Atlantic City, New Jersey

Branson, Missouri

Las Vegas, Nevada

Orlando-Kissimmee, Florida

Reno-Lake Tahoe, Nevada

Sandusky, Ohio

Fun and sun communities: some of these places have been Dislandia’s for many years, though their popularity may fluctuate up and down with trends. Others, like Gulf Shores, are a more recent phenomenon. To me, Myrtle Beach is the best current example of a booming Dislandia in this category. At one time, I can recall counting more than 40 miniature golf courses alone along the main drag.

Fun and sun communities tend to sprawl in a very linear manner initially, as development is concentrated along and near the coastline. Over time, new development moves inland as the population grows and service workers and/or retirees start arriving in waves. Many of these places are situated in areas at risk for hurricanes and/or tsunamis.

Biloxi-Gulfport, Mississippi

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Clearwater, Florida

Cocoa Beach, Florida

Daytona Beach, Florida

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Galveston, Texas

Gulf Shores, Alabama

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Nags Head-Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina

Ocean City, Maryland

Ocean City, New Jersey

Oceanside, California

Old Orchard Beach, Maine

Palm Springs, California

Panama City Beach, Florida

Seaside/Cannon Beach, Oregon

South Padre Island, Texas

Traverse City, Michigan

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Communities with outdoor superstore/outlet centers are the newest form of Dislandia appearing on the map. It can be amazing how much pops up around an outdoor sports superstore or an outlet center. Here in Michigan, Since Cabela’s opened along U.S. 23 and Exit 17 in Dundee, numerous restaurants, hotels (including with an indoor water park), and other tourist-oriented establishments have been constructed within a mile radius of the store – far more than a city the size of Dundee could ever support alone.

Around most Cabela and Bass Pro Outlet locations

Grove City, Pennsylvania

Due to a variety of reasons, some former Dislandias may fade from the limelight. That does not mean they do not still attract tourists, but it may not be in the numbers as they did before or for the same reasons. Some examples could include Buckeye Lake, Ohio; Cave City, Kentucky; the Irish Hills of Michigan; Niagara Falls, New York; Ocala-Silver Springs, Florida; and Winter Haven (Cypress Gardens), Florida.

Reasons for their reduced stature can include but not be limited to (there’s some planner-speak for you) changes in consumer interests and trends, being bypassed by a new highway, a changed or lost focus, or the lack of updating or modernizing to keep up with the latest trends.