Community attachment, regional identity and resident attitudes toward tourism

Abstract

An important tourism policy objective is to sustain local values, culture and quality of life. Yet, faced with a decline in traditional industries such as mining, agriculture and forestry, many rural communities turn to tourism as a source of economic revitalization (Long et al., 1990). Often the culture and identity of these communities are bound up in the very industries being lost (Cuba & Hummon, 1993). Tourism policy, to be successful, must deal with the changes that will inevitably occur to community life and the surrounding environment. In short, successful tourism development depends on the cooperation of local communities (Allen et al., 1988; 1993; Lankford, 1994; Murphy, 1985).

Citation

Williams, Daniel R.; McDonald, Cary D.; Riden, Carla M.; Uysal, Muzaffer. 1995. Community attachment, regional identity and resident attitudes toward tourism. In: Proceedings of the 26th Annual Travel and Tourism Research Association Conference Proceedings. Wheat Ridge, CO: Travel and Tourism Research Association: 424-428