Community empowerment in tourism decision-making
The Hague (Netherlands), San Sebastian (Spain) and Ioannina (Greece)
The impacts of tourism on destinations and the perceptions of local communities have been a central concern for both the tourism industry and academia over the past decades. Despite this, tourism planning has often prioritised increasing visitor numbers over the wellbeing of residents and visitors alike.
In recent years, growing tensions and anti-tourist movements in popular destinations have underscored the urgency of including local communities in tourism decision-making. However, meaningful community participation is not always feasible, due to structural, economic, and socio-cultural barriers that can leave residents disempowered.
The project, which ran from April 2022 until its successful completion in 2024, focused on evaluating tourism governance and decision-making systems across selected destinations. Special attention was given to local participation, stakeholder collaboration, and the socio-cultural dynamics that either enable or constrain community empowerment. A key outcome of the project was the co-creation of solutions in collaboration with residents and municipal stakeholders, highlighting the potential of participatory approaches to foster more inclusive tourism planning.