De-bordering narratives on tourism and migration. A participatory action-research on two innovative Italian practices

In a world where freedom of movement becomes the main factor of social stratification, tourism and migration can be analysed as two sides of the same coin. These interrelated phenomena are often linked to opposite and conflicting images, stereotypes and emotions. Polarized narratives, stigmatizing migrants and asylum seekers as invaders or victims, and tourists as bearers of economic benefits. This perception denies a holistic vision of the impacts on territories and communities. Examining the link between narratives, representations and actions, this article sheds light on how alternative representations of migration and tourism can be co-constructed by social actors. Analysing the narrative turn in social sciences, this paper presents participatory action-research on two innovative practices, inviting a reflection on the rhetoric and policies related to tourism and migration. More specifically, it explores how the Festival of Responsible Tourism IT.A.CÀ_migrants and travelers and the Experiential Course on Tourism Development and Intercultural Hospitality - adopt, de-construct, reconstruct and enact alternative narratives concerning migration and tourism, while also promoting social coexistence between citizens and newcomers.