Contemplating Tourism Imaginaries and the Remaking of Galician Culture: Inquiry into Host Sentiments

Abstract

There is growing dissent among locals and communities in Galicia over the rise of overtourism. This study reveals that tourism issues include a lack of tourism in some areas and an overabundance in others; as a result, this imbalance has negatively impacted locals and contributed to overtourism. Previous research has primarily focused on local sentiment conducted at the beginning of 2021 in seven major cities along the Route of Santiago de Compostela, using online surveys, as few studies cover local sentiment at that time. It expressed concern about rising prices in general and how overtourism was hindering locals' daily lives and activities. However, it did not explore tourism imaginaries or sentiments toward material culture. The research conducted in this study complements previous research by addressing and conducting interviews on these unexplored subjects and areas. These interviews specifically focused on the approach to tourism imaginaries and how the locals felt about them, including how they are promoted and reinforced. The main findings of this study indicate that locals want other areas lacking in tourism promoted to ease the number of tourists in areas experiencing overtourism and benefit other areas in need of tourism. It also found that the locals want to ensure that artisanal art and souvenirs reflect Galician identity and tradition, to avoid misconceptions and stereotypes about their history and culture. These findings establish that locals' dissent stems from impediments to their everyday lives caused by the imbalance of overtourism and from the dilution of their history and culture through the sale of souvenirs that lack Galician culture and identity.