The Perceived Influence of Slow City (Cittaslow) Status on Tourısm and Local People: A Study in Aylsham, United Kingdom

Year 2019, Volume: 1 Issue: 2, 15 - 26, 15.02.2019

Yeşim Coşar

Abstract

There
are two extreme cases in the world of tourism. One is seeking happiness by taking
vacations in quieter places, while the other is accepting the advantages and
disadvantages of mass tourism in a busy environment. The concept of a slow city
was initiated to be of help to the former world of tourism while being a
crucial response to the latter as well. As there has been limited empirical
investigation of the slow city concept and its influence on tourism development
in a specific field, the purpose of this study is to investigate the perceived
influence of a slow city on the local people in light of tourism development. The
study includes a historic market town located in the Norfolk region of the UK
and the findings suggest that the perceived benefits of slow city status appear
to be neutral, albeit some people are in favour of its economic advantages. In the concluding remarks, the study further
compares the results with those of other previous studies and provides both
theoretical and practical implications. 

Keywords

: Cittaslow, slow city, slow food, sustainable tourism

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