Resort communities are complex systems where destination governance has become increasingly challenged by new mobilities of capital, finance, labor, communication, transportation, leisure and tourism. Popular destinations like the coastal communities of Noosa and Port Douglas, Queensland (Australia), the mountain towns of Canmore, Alberta (Canada) and Vail and Aspen, Colorado (United States), destinations in developing contexts such as Guanajuato (Mexico), Goa (India) and Bali (Indonesia), comprise fluid populations consisting of part-time and permanent residents, active tourism industries and high flows of amenity migrants and tourists. Residents may arrive as amenity migrants, retirees, expats and second home-owners as well as short-term temporary, seasonal migrant tourist-workers. Their status as either ‘resident-tourists’ or ‘tourist-residents’ may change over time depending on a number of factors including their movement in and out of the destination (temporarily or permanently); whether they retain linkages (e.g. via property ownership, social networks or work relationships); the characteristics of those linkages with the destination community; and their psychological association and sense of belonging to the destination. These factors give rise to considerable challenges when it comes to destination planning and governance. For example, should mobile or transient interests be taken into account in planning processes? What weight should be given to these mobile interests compared to current residents and other tangible stakeholders? How can these transient interests be identified and integrated into governance arrangements? And, what are the implications for local control and civic action?