Residents’ perceptions of the tourism impacts on a mature destination: the case of Madeira Island

Residents have a fundamental role in the quality of tourists’ experiences and satisfaction gotten from a visit and, thus, in the success of a tourism destination. This paper addresses the perceptions that residents have of the impacts of tourism on Madeira Island, a mature tourism destination. Based on data extracted from a survey applied to residents during August and September 2018, we have inquired on the extent to which they keep a positive perception of the impacts of the tourist industry. The survey tried to address the residents’ perceptions on, either, economic, cultural, social or environmental impacts. In the analysis of data, both descriptive and multivariable statistical methods were used. The empirical results attained indicate that the residents feel that there is no excess of tourism on the Island, which means that they agree that tourism is beneficial. They do not fail to realize that there are a few negative consequences, but the positive ones, in average, got better scores. Being an inhabitant of an urban or a rural site did not show to influence differently the perceptions kept on the contribution of tourism to the overall development of Madeira Island. This type of analysis can be a useful tool for tourism planners and managers in order to prevent or minimize eventual negative impacts of the tourism industry, as felt by the local inhabitants, and, thus, for designing the required policies.

Keywords: Residents’ perceptions; Tourism impacts; Madeira Island.

Diogo José Sousa Teixeira

diogo_jst@hotmail.com

 

J.  Cadima Ribeiro

jcadima@eeg.uminho.pt

(Resumo de comunicação submetida a International Congress "Tourism in Islands in the XXI Century: Dynamics and Challenges", Tenerife, Espanha, a decorrer entre 25 e 27 de Novembro de 2019 - https://islandcongress2019.exordo.com)