Relationships between Perceptions of Residents Toward Tourism Development, Benefits Derived from Tourism and Support to Tourism

Abstract

The study aimed to find out the relationships between the perceptions of residents toward tourism development, the benefits derived from tourism, and their support for tourism in Beypazari, Turkey. The data was collected through a questionnaire technique from the residents in Beypazari, one of the cultural tourism destinations in Turkey. The data was examined through a descriptive, exploratory, and confirmatory factor analyses, and structural equation modeling. The research found that there is a relationship between the perceptions of residents toward tourism development and the benefits derived from tourism. The research further showed a relationship between the perceptions of residents toward tourism development and their support for tourism. More specifically, this research contributes to the sustainable development literature by evaluating the perceptions of tourism development from the perspective of residents, the benefits derived from tourism, and the support provided to tourism. Moreover, the research provides information for destination management organizations to manage sustainable development processes effectively and efficiently by revealing the factors that shape the attitudes and behaviors of residents towards tourism.