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The current role of sociological research in tourism planning and skilling

Sociology of tourism studies the relationships, roles and motivations of tourists and the ongoing exchanges between tourists, institutions and host communities. It helps us to understand the social and cultural dimensions of tourism, the impact of tourism on people and places, and the potential of tourism as a tool for social and economic development and social justice.

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A closer cooperation between citizens, social partners and public authorities to address the challenge of overtourism

Overtourism is going to be a growing concern for European cities, even if the topic it is not entirely new. For instance, Doxey (1975) proposed an ‘irritation index’, an ideal type model mapping the changing perception of residents towards visitors in an area’s touristic life cycle. In the tourism development of a destination Doxey identified four stages of local responses: after initial enthusiasm about the economic benefits of tourism (euphoria), attitudes tend to change with the growth of visitors. After a while, locals get used to tourists and may become indifferent (apathy). But when the number of holidaymakers exceeds a threshold annoyance comes in (irritation) that may even end in hostile feelings vis-à-vis tourists (antagonism). Obviously, the last two phases are relevant for overtourism. Why are some cities more susceptible to be overrun by tourists than other ones?

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Remote work in the tourism sector

The post-coronavirus scenario has brought challenges and opportunities for tourism workers. A new learning scenario has emerged for the global tourism industry. Workation and the digital nomad are key concepts in this phenomenon. There are more and more European destinations that are committed to becoming destinations for this niche market.

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The importance of social and cross-cultural skills for tourism and hospitality

Social and cross-cultural skills, often called ‘soft skills’, are among the skills seen as most important for the tourism and hospitality workforce (Wilks & Hemsworth 2011, Sisson & Adams 2013, Weber et al 2009). These skills are highly appreciated by employers in the sector and are also transferable skills that could be easily adapted to different working environments. With the growth of AI and emerging discussions about the displacement of the workforce, social skills are regaining importance with the recognition that many workers in the future will need more complex problem-solving, adaptability and creativity skills. But how can we define these skills?

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