An Investigation of Urban Residents’ Loyalty to Tourism

Abstract

This study explores urban residents’ loyalty to tourism development. Surveys with regard to perceptions of the effects of tourism development were mailed to Virginia residents. Responses to 210 questionnaires were analyzed. A factor analysis of 27 attitude items reveals a three-dimensional factor solution. The MANOVA procedure finds that respondents from different gender and age groups had different attitudes toward tourism development. A correspondence analysis further exhibits the attitudes toward tourism development between loyal and nonloyal residents. Loyal residents felt that total tourism benefits should outweigh the negative impacts; nonloyal residents were more concerned about the land value and traffic congestion. The implications for future studies are presented in the conclusion.