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Clashing views emerge on how to ease locals’ resentment toward tourists

One side calls for better dialogue, the other demands policy reform. Who holds the key to solving tourism’s growing social divide?

In the image there is a ship sailing on the water surface and on the top of the ship there are a...
In the image there is a ship sailing on the water surface and on the top of the ship there are a lot of people travelling.

Clashing views emerge on how to ease locals’ resentment toward tourists

The Diversities research group at ICS-ULisboa, led by architect Tiago Mota Saraiva, is delving into social tensions, including locals' resentment towards visitors, through ethnographic research. Meanwhile, the head of AHRESP, the Portuguese Association of Hotels, Restaurants, and Similar Establishments, suggests better communication skills as a solution. Saraiva, however, advocates for stronger public policies to address the issue.

The Diversities group is exploring social vulnerabilities, territorialities, migration, and urban studies to understand and tackle these tensions comprehensively. Their work aims to shed light on the root causes of locals' resentment towards tourists.

AHRESP's president, on the other hand, attributes the problem to communication breakdowns between locals and tourists. They believe improved communication skills could foster a better understanding and reduce tensions.

Saraiva, however, argues that stronger public policies are necessary to prevent and manage local residents' resentment towards tourists. He suggests that these policies should address the root causes identified through research, such as urban planning and social integration.

While the Diversities research group at ICS-ULisboa focuses on understanding the complex dynamics behind locals' resentment towards tourists, AHRESP highlights the importance of communication skills. Architect Tiago Mota Saraiva, however, emphasizes the need for stronger public policies to effectively address and prevent these tensions.

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