LISBON AND THE ALCÂNTARA NEIGHBOURHOOD CHANGES: IS TOURISM INVADING OR RENOVATING?

Abstract

Alcântara neighbourhood in Lisbon has good conditions to develop as a tourist destination in the next few years. It is probably the best district of Lisbon to recall the industrial era. The aim of this article is to understand what is currently going on in the heritage and tourism sector, and what is foreseeable to happen in the near future. A qualitative-quantitative approach has been used. The qualitative part has been based upon the direct observation of the analysed area. The quantitative part has been based upon the figures related to accommodation in Lisbon supplied by Turismo de Portugal. We believe that Alcântara district will fit profitably into the tourist boom that Lisbon has been experiencing for a number of years, thanks to several factors: Its diversified resources; Its dynamic and “trendy” neighbourhood image; Its barycentric position; Its good accessibility; The rapid increase in the receptive supply.

Keywords

• Lisbon
• Alcântara
• urban tourism
• heritage
• post-industrial