Support of residents for sustainable tourism development in nature-based destinations: Applying theories of social exchange and bottom-up spillover

This study examines how residents of nature-based tourism destinations become supportive of sustainable tourism development based on an integrated theoretical framework that combines social exchange theory and bottom-up spillover theory. A survey of 364 residents in Jechon City, South Korea measured their perceptions of tourism impacts using a neutral-phrase questionnaire (non-forced approach). Results from structural equation modeling showed that residents perceive tourism as having a significant positive impact on material and non-material aspects of their lives, which leads to overall quality of life and support for sustainable tourism development. The integration of social exchange theory and bottom-up spillover theory proved to be a useful framework in predicting residents’ support for sustainable tourism development. The study results suggest that to foster local residents' support for sustainable tourism development, planners should consider the impact of tourism on material and non-material aspects of residents' lives, emphasize environmental considerations, and focus on long-term benefits. Management implications: ㆍ In order to effectively encourage local residents to support sustainable tourism development, strategic tourism plans should be reviewed from each perspective based on the economic, socio-cultural and environmental impacts of tourism on local residents. ㆍ The importance of tourism impacts encourages tourism planners and managers to focus on constantly monitoring changes in residents' positive or negative perceptions of tourism impacts, depending on the stage of development of a destination's tourism development. ㆍ When local residents' satisfaction in material and non-material life areas is considered, their quality of life can be improved and ultimately, positive support for tourism development can be obtained. ㆍ An important practical aspect for policy makers to consider for tourism development is to promote and demonstrate that the various benefits of tourism development can have a significant impact on the tourism industry and the broader society, adding value to the well-being and quality of life of residents.