TOURISM AND CRIME: EFFECTS OF CRIMINALITY ON THE TOURIST DEMAND

Abstract

The main purpose of this paper is to study
the relationship between tourist demand and
criminality. This relationship is suggested by
the review of literature, which points towards a
consistent proximity between both. Mainly from
a theoretical, psychological and sociological point
of view, the review of the literature allows for a
wider understanding of issues that relate to tourists’
victimization, which are the basis for causes and
consequences of crime in tourist destinations.
The theoretical understanding of this phenomenon
lead to the construction of a questionnaire, which is
to be applied to national and international tourists
that have been victims of a crime and who reported
it at an Algarve Police Station. This study will be
conducted by the University of the Algarve (School
of Management, Hospitality and Tourism) and by
the regional section of the Police Force in Faro,
during a six month period. The results will enable
a further, more objective analysis of the relation
between tourism and crime, and a comparison with
the results from other tourist destinations.