Tourism Use History: Exploring a New Framework for Understanding Residents’ Attitudes toward Tourism

Abstract

This study attempts to answer the question “What influence does an individual’s travel have on attitudes concerning who should develop tourism in their community as well as the role of the government in such development?” Research on residents’ attitudes toward tourism has traditionally focused on demographic, socioeconomic, and spatial predictor variables, with relatively few consistent findings. Based on the experience use history concept from the leisure and outdoor recreation literature, this study explores a new framework for understanding residents’ attitudes toward tourism in two distinct destinations in South Carolina, United States. Tourism use history was used to create resident groups within each community and assess attitudes about who should develop tourism (e.g., local businesses, outside investors and developers, government, or a public—private partnership) and government support for tourism businesses. Results are discussed in relation to the stage of tourism development in each destination. Further development and testing of tourism use history is recommended.