Residents’ perceptions of tourism can vary
depending on the location, context, and individual experiences.
Tourism is commonly perceived as a potential
economic resource, presenting features that can increase
quality of life. However, there are concerns about
the negative effects of tourism on the quality of life of
residents living in these destinations. In this sense, this
study aims to understand the residents’ perceptions
of the effects of tourism in Bragança, Portugal, and
whether there are any variations in how residents perceive
the activity, particularly if the residents’ involvement
withtourism leads to any changes in these perceptions.
The research was conducted by collecting data
through 203 online questionnaires,analysing the data
obtained using both descriptive and inferential analysis.
This study reveals residents’ overall positive perceptions
and recognition of tourism’s economic potential, including
job creation and revenue generation. However,
concerns were raised about tourism’s adverse effects on
quality of life, such as pollution and traffic congestion.
The research emphasises the need for resident-inclusive
tourism planning and enhanced communication to
ensure mutually beneficial outcomes for tourists and the
local community.
