Tourism, stress, and well-being. A perspective from local communities in tourist cities.
Tourism, stress, and well-being. A perspective from local communities in tourist cities. Research Accelerator from Universitat Oberta de Catalunya. 2023
Research team
Francesc González Reverté, August Corrons Gimenez, Joan Miquel Gomis López, Carmen Pacheco Bernal and Xavier Villanueva Capella.
Expected results
1. Results related to improving knowledge on the topic:
Provide data to respond to the formulated objectives and provide an analytical framework that guarantees the reproducibility of the research.
1. 1. Create a conceptual and analytic framework to study the relationship between stress, well-being, and tourism impacts.
1. 2. Design of a survey to measure the perception of well-being of 2,000 residents in 4 Spanish tourist cities (Barcelona, Madrid, San Sebastián and Ciutat de Palma). The use of multivariate and SEM methods will allow identifying stress factors, classifying and segmenting participants and measuring the relationship between tourism impacts, stress, and well-being perceived by residents.
1. 3. Case study of Barcelona. Following an approach based on the theory of social representation, and based on the case method and in-depth interviews, the differential behaviour of local actors will be evaluated in the face of two phenomena: the implementation of short-term tourist rental flat platforms, and the arrival of cruise tourists.
1. 4. Creation of a database on occupational accidents in the tourism sector in Spain that allows intra- and inter- sectorial comparison.
2. Results related to the transfer of results and the social dissemination of knowledge:
The aim is to transfer the main outcomes of the project to society, and present and discuss them with local institutions and agents in order to generate shared knowledge.
2. 1. Organization of a results’ presentation day with the participation of local public and private agents.
2. 2. Generation of an open database at the end of the project.
2. 3. Publication of four open academic articles in indexed journals. Production of press releases related to the most relevant publications.
2. 4. Transfer of results in bachelor and master’s subjects, as learning resources and classroom debates.
3. Results related to the social and ethical impact of the research:
The aim is to offer a gender perspective to research, quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate the return that the project offers to society and strengthen the transfer of knowledge.
3. 1. The project incorporates a gender perspective across all its objectives, acknowledging the existing inequalities between men and women in terms of access to well-being and employment. It also addresses a gap in research, as the perception of well-being in tourist destinations has not been explicitly explored from a gender standpoint.
3. 2. Development of a system of indicators to measure the social impact of the project’s actions. This system will enable conclusions to be drawn about the project itself and supporting the planning of strategies to enhance its impact and facilitate the transfer of the resulting knowledge, both during and after its implementation.