Resident Attitudes Toward Future Tourism Development: "it's a Question of Trust"

Abstract

Extensive research has examined resident attitudes toward local tourism development, yet many gaps still remain. The most prominent framework used to examine resident attitudes is social exchange theory (SET), with trust being one of its main constructs. This study expands on previous research about resident attitudes by examining the antecedent of trust—trustworthiness (ability, benevolence, and integrity)—as it relates to future tourism development. Residents in a small town in the south-eastern US were surveyed to determine their level of trustworthiness with the local Chamber of Commerce, which was proposing the development of a new international horse park. Principle component analysis, correlation analysis, and regression analysis were conducted. Analysis of the data indicates that trustworthiness is a unidimensional structure and positively predicts resident support.