The Impacts of Tourism as Seen by the Residents of Hajdúszoboszló Spa Town

Szőllős-Tóth, Andrea – Vargáné Csobán, Katalin

Keywords: residents’ attitudes, spa town, sustainability, overtourism, R11, Z32, Q59

The present study examines the residents’ attitudes to tourism in Hajdúszoboszló, one of the most visited spa towns in Hungary. In our research we aim to get a deeper understanding of the residents’ perceptions of overtourism and the possible positive and negative impacts of tourism on the town.
The findings of the questionnaire survey implemented among the local residents suggest that the strengthening of social relations, a boom in cultural life, the increase in the service sector and the appreciation of language and professional skills are identified as positive impacts by the locals. In accordance with the findings of international studies, the host communities of Hungarian destinations, for example Hajdúszoboszló may have to face the rise in property prices resulting from tourism development. The results of the correlation analysis confirm that the price rise is considered a major negative impact by the young people and the employees among the respondents. It can also be concluded that the residents have experienced the negative impacts of congestion, as well as the environmental problems arising from the relatively high number of tourists.
The relationship between locals and tourists can be considered ambivalent as reflected by the survey. The respondents find the other local residents less hospitable and helpful than themselves. They believe that others are less enthusiastic about tourism and even have antagonistic feelings towards tourists.
The results of the investigation suggest that several signs of overtourism were present in the spa town before the pandemic, what may reappear when tourism starts again. Local decision makers have to pay attention to the constant monitoring of the impacts of tourism, and timely intervention may be needed in order to maintain and improve tourist satisfaction and the residents’ quality of life, such as improving noise prevention, waste management, organizing events to protect the traditions of the region and providing special discounts from the price of services to the members of the local community.

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