Factors affecting residents’ attitude toward sustainable tourism development

The present study examines the factors that affect local residents’ attitudes towards tourism development. In this regard, the case taken under consideration is the potential tourism development of the estate of the former salt pans (Alykes) of Anavyssos (Attica, Greece). In order to examine local residents’ perceptions and attitudes, a survey was conducted in the neighboring communities. The survey’s results indicate that residents support the development of the specific estate, mainly through small scale tourism facilities and parks. Additionally, the respondents believe that the development of large scale tourism facilities could lead to both positive and negative impacts, with the most common being creation of new jobs, achievement of local development, increase of private investments, unplanned urban sprawl and increased arrivals of immigrants. The potential impacts were classified in six categories, namely positive economic, infrastructure and environmental impacts and negative environmental, social and built environment impacts. The factors that were found to significantly affect residents’ attitude on potential tourism development were a) gender, b) educational level, c) distance from the seaside, d) positive economic impacts and e) negative environmental and built environment impacts. The significant effect of the potential impacts provides proof for the verification of the social exchange theory.
tourismos, Vol. 14 No. 1 (2019)