Resumo: Tourism competitiveness is a subject that has been extensively studied in the academic literature on the subject, using different conceptions, approaches and methodologies. Currently, this epistemological diversity affects the perception of the validity of studies on this matter, despite which there are investigations that have delivered valuable contributions to the understanding of tourism. This document analyzes a selection of works that make it possible to identify the factors that drive the competitiveness of tourist destinations. One of the main reasons that affect the reliability of tourism competitiveness studies is the lack of agreement on its definition and meaning. That is, frequently researchers propose their own definition, object, variables, indicators, factors and research methods. Thus, if there is no single definition or consensus among experts on what tourism competitiveness is, objectively, what is the scientific validity of the research? What are the theoretical and practical contributions of the study of tourism competitiveness for scientific knowledge and for the agents interested thay activity? This document presents a set of reflections on theoretical models and relevant works in this field of studies.
