A structural equation model of residents’ attitudes for tourism development

Abstract

This study tests the structural equation model between residents' perceived tourism impacts and attitudes toward host community. The model consisted of five latent constructs and nine path hypotheses and is based upon 732 mailback questionnaires returned by residents of Cheju Island, Korea, a major domestic tourism destination. It was found that residents' 'community satisfaction' was closely related to 'perceived positive' and 'perceived negative' tourism impacts. These constructs were directly causing 'attitudes toward additional tourism development'. But the hypothesized path relationships between 'personal benefits from tourism development' and the constructs of 'perceived negative tourism impacts' and 'overall community satisfaction' were rejected. In conclusion, community satisfaction was influenced by perception of tourism impacts, and may be useful in planning for additional tourism development.