RESIDENTS’ ATTITUDES AND SUPPORT FOR TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Based on current literature, this study developed a theoretical model of residents' support for tourism, and a series of hypotheses was proposed. The model and the hypotheses of the study were tested by structural equation modeling approach from responses collected from residents of Bistoon in Iran. The findings revealed that residents ' support for tourism, is affected directly and/or indirectly by: Ecocentric Attitudes, Place Attachment, Utilization of Tourism Resource by Resident, Community Concern, Participation in Tourism Development , Social Identity, Economic Benefits, Economic costs, Social benefits, Social Costs, Environmental Benefits and Environmental Costs. An additional finding revealed that in a community which is experiencing economic problems, residents are likely to view tourism as a means of improving their economic position while underestimating the tourism development costs.