Interacting with tourists improves quality of life

Which is the way to the museum? Where can I eat well? asked by tourists, the two questions are, most of the times, the only and brief contacts with local inhabitants. At the University of Aveiro (UA) a team of researchers shows that the greater and better the interaction between residents and tourists, the greater the positive influence of tourism on the quality of life of the locals and, therefore, the better the visitors will be accepted. But in Portugal, much remains to be done.   A study by the University of Aveiro came to the conclusion that the interaction between tourists and locals can have a positive impact on the quality of life of populations. Published in the Journal of Quality Assurance in Hospitality & Tourism, the study conducted by three researchers shows that “the influence of interaction between residents and visitors in the perception of the former on the impact of tourism on their quality of life is explained not only by the glimpse of economic opportunities arising from the contacts, but by a broader change of perspective in the resident, which affects several areas of their quality of life.

The research led by Maria João Carneiro, Celeste Eusébio and Ana Caldeira involved a survey in two seaside resorts in the central coastline of the country and its conclusions, say the researchers, can be replicated for the rest of the country.

“The study shows that the greater the interaction between residents and visitors and the more satisfactory this interaction is, the more positive the impacts of tourism on the quality of life of residents tend to be,” points out Maria João Carneiro who, with her colleagues, is part of the Department of Economics, Management, Industrial Engineering and Tourism and the Research Unit in Governance, Competitiveness and Public Policy (GOVCOPP) of the University of Aveiro.

“A more intense and satisfactory contact with the visitor allows residents to gain a greater knowledge and understanding of their culture and attitudes, to develop more positive feelings and more favourable attitudes towards tourists and tourism development itself, and even to have a greater receptivity to less positive tourism impacts,” describes Maria João Carneiro.

The appreciation of visitors by residents may, on the other hand, also contribute to a greater perception of the positive effects of tourism in terms of greater opportunities for socialisation and recreation.

Despite the results, international studies on the subject show that interaction between residents and visitors is still scarce, brief and formal, often limited to requests for information and interactions during the purchase of products and provision of services. In this scenario, Maria João Carneiro points out, “Portugal is no exception, still presenting relatively limited opportunities for interaction between residents and visitors”.

More and better interaction

“The promotion of more enriching encounters between residents and visitors could certainly contribute to reducing conflicts between these two actors in tourism activity, as well as to generate in local inhabitants more positive perceptions regarding tourism and, simultaneously, more favourable attitudes towards the development of tourism activity,” challenges the researcher.

The structuring of events that promote contact between tourists and residents and the integration of residents in the development and supply of tourist services, are some of the clues that Maria João Carneiro launches to the agents responsible for tourism development.

“This type of action can also be very relevant for residents, not only for the economic compensation that they may obtain, but also for the connection that they can maintain with a heritage that they value and of which they are proud,” she says. Another aspect valued in this type of interaction are “the opportunities to extend the network of knowledge and contacts of residents, something particularly valued in inland destinations, where the lack of accessibility contributes to the isolation of populations”.

Good examples are still scarce

There are already some examples where close contact between tourists and residents is promoted and valued. “In some museums visitors are already invited to develop part of some activities together with residents and in some events visitors are encouraged to participate in the preparation of the event with residents”, describes Maria João Carneiro.

Also in some rural tourism resorts “visitors are received by the owners themselves, and are encouraged to socialise and explore the destination with the precious help of the residents”. Another good example of promoting interactions comes from Guimarães, more precisely from the time when the city was European Capital of Culture. In that period some residents hosted musicians and visitors in their own homes. “These are just a few examples, among several others that would be worth studying,” points out Maria João Carneiro.

“Developing strategies that promote enriching encounters appreciated by residents, but also by visitors, thus appears to be an important contribution to the development of tourist destinations, since the satisfaction of all stakeholders is crucial to ensure the sustainability of these destinations,” points out Maria João Carneiro. The researcher also highlights the weight that interactions between tourists and residents also have on the quality of life of visitors, an aspect already highlighted in some studies, but which still needs further research.