PICTURE Final Conference

Session 1

Cultural Tourism and Urban Quality of Life

Belfast, Bergen and Luxembourg Case Studies

Margaret Sutherland

Queens University Belfast

Belfast

• Traditional tourist market limited

day trippers from Republic of Ireland, visits to friends and family, small contribution to economy

• Paramilitary ceasefires in mid 1990’s:

Growing interest in region from independent travellers seeking something different

• Impact of Budget Airlines - introducing direct flights from European destinations

• Growing Recognition by policy makers that Cultural Tourism could make a contribution to:

Improving international image and reputation

Bringing economic, social and cultural benefits to the region

emphasising rich cultural heritage of music, art, literature and industry to replace images of conflict and violence

Contrast with Liège and Mons- greater embracing of tourism and resulting increase in visitor numbers

“Pride” felt by local people wanting to show off their city

Economic potential seems to outweigh other concerns

Potential for peace and reconciliation welcomed (joint political tours)

Has helped to foster the cultural identity (Gaeltacht quarter)

Initial PICTURE Results

• Qualitative studies undertaken within a local neighbourhood (interviews with residents group, local tourism body, local political representatives)

Falls Road Community of West Belfast

Bergen

• Tourism is very mature. Site of Bryggen is on the World Heritage List

• 2004 statistics show that 225 cruise ships visited - total number of passengers 157,263.

• 2005 statistics - 246 cruise ships - total number of passengers 190,000

• Economic turnover estimated at €600m with 6000 people employed in tourist related activities

• QoL Survey work complimented the PICTURE economic impact Research in the city centre (visitor surveys)

Luxembourg

• Mature in terms of tourism development

• UNESCO World Heritage List

• European Capital of Culture 2007

• Resident Surveys also aimed at gauging attitudes towards the ECOC designation

• (further detail in next speaker’s presentation)

Belfast and Bergen

• 3000 households across the city surveyed by postal questionnaire

• Questions aimed at finding measures for identified indictors of community, emotional and, to a lesser extent, economic well being

Luxembourg

• 1000 households across the city surveyed by postal questionnaire

• Questions aimed at finding measures for identified indictors as well as questions with regard to upcoming City of Culture designation (D16)

Liège and Mons

• Survey of young people and Teachers from technical schools

• Survey conducted at City hall with citizens waiting for municipal services

Quality of Life Survey Methodology

Tourist Impact on Day to Day Life

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Positively Negatively No Impact No Answer/No Opinion

Belfast

Bergen

Luxembourg

Liège

Mons

Ongoing Research - some initial trends

Festivals and Events Create a Community Spirit (Locally)

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Disagree Strongly Disagree Neither/nor Agree Agree Strongly No Answer/NoOpinion

Belfast

Bergen

Luxembourg

Liège

Mons

Tourism Increases Residents' Awareness of City's Culture

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

DisagreeStrongly

Disagree Neither/nor Agree Agree Strongly No Answer/NoOpinion

Belfast

Bergen

Luxembourg

Liège

Mons

Luxembourg: Does Cultural Tourism Contribute to Quality of Life?

91%

5%4%

Yes

No

No Answer

MATERIAL WELL BEING

Physical environment Physical well being

Climate

Urban beauty

Availability of infrastructure, business andcommerce

Safety

Human scale

Absence of pollution (environmental, noise andcleanliness)

Transport and accessibility (good publictransportation, parking spaces, traffic management,pedestrian zones)

Money, access to good employment

A roof above one's head

Food

Access to good education

Access to technologies

Good socio-economic environment

Potential to travel

Potential to participate in leisure activities

EMOTIONAL WELL BEING

Psychological well being Private emotional sphere

Access to education

Knowledge that it will be possible to find a job

Freedom of action and choice (possibility to beoneself)

Perspectives for the future (low stress levels,ambitions)

Peaceful climate (absence of violence, war, sexualand racial equality)

In relation to oneself (be healthy, good lifeand work balance, self respect, positiveattitude)

In relation to others (family and friends)

COMMUNITY WELL BEING

Public emotional sphere

Harmony and conviviality

Social contract, mutual aid, common rules, knowhow to manage things, take one's responsibilities,participation in decision making

Respect, cultural diversity, absence of racism

Participation in local and city wide activities

“Bottom -Up” Indicators of Resident Quality of Life

"One way of judging the impact that the tourism industry may have on communities is to assess the extent to which tourism contributes to the overall well-being or prosperity of a society." (Crouch 1999)

Data from residents’ surveys still being analysed

Extremely Positive attitudes towards tourists a surprise (particularly in Bergen)

Sustainable Technique which can be applied relatively quickly and cheaply by Local Authorities

Combined with detailed qualitative techniques at the neighbourhood level (research also undertaken as part of the PICTURE research in Belfast, Liege and Mons), can provide an important overview of impacts on residents of cultural tourism development

Conclusions

PICTURE Final Conference

Session 1

Cultural Tourism and Urban Quality of Life

Belfast, Bergen and Luxembourg Case Studies

Margaret Sutherland

Queens University Belfast