The tourism sector has recently become the center of the economic activity in many regions and countries of the world, for which it has been subject to profound changes as a result of technological advances and changes the consumers tastes and preferences. The explanations of the factors that determine the competitiveness of tourist destinations have multiplied in the academic literature, as a prelude of the need to develop strategies aimed at the growth and sustainability of this important sector of the economy. The aim of this article is to review the present debate lines in this literature, in order to highlight the factors that can serve as a benchmark when framing strategies aimed at generating a competitive advantage for the sector.