In a framework of growth but at the same time of marked inequalities in the scientific system, the present research work aims to generate a report from a double scope. On the one hand, problematizes a series of general postulates that frequent the second-order studies of tourism and, on the other, address an area of vacancy in the literature related to the characterization of specialized journals within Latin America in the period 1990-2017. In this sense, and based on a non-probabilistic sample of 13 journals, it is considered opportune and necessary to reconstruct certain tendencies under a framework of “sociologies of absences” (de Sousa Santos, 2006). Within the results it is concluded that a good number of affirmations, without sinning of errors or fallacies, incur important omissions. In fact, it was proposed as a common denominator that for each one of the statements coexist a variable, contrasting and even dual scenarios in what respects scientific development. The truth is that these nuances are also territorialized at the regional level. To do this, and based on their weighting on their impact factor and other indices, the journals were compared according to their indexations, citations, endogeneity levels and positioning. For this reason, the work is understood not only to be of interest given the lack of research but also for its practical implications. It is considered that this information not only acquires an academic-analytical importance, but also practical and instrumental for the researcher, in his individual character, or in a collective way as input for the development and improvement of scientific policies.