Successful and Unsuccessful Film Tourism Destinations: From the Perspective of Korean Local Residents' Perceptions of Film Tourism Impacts

Abstract

This study has empirically examined the influence of both successful and unsuccessful film tourism destinations on the local residents' perceptions of film tourism impacts. It was contextualized in seven film tourism destinations in South Korea associated with popular Korean films and TV dramas. An impact scale comprising 24 tourism impact items was adopted and modified from previous studies on residents' perceptions of the economic, sociocultural, and environmental impacts of tourism. It was found that the majority of residents perceived the impacts of film tourism positively, particularly for those related to the positive sociocultural life and positive economic impacts (e.g., improvement of community's image, improvement of local residents' quality of life, and additional opportunity for cultural experience). The findings of the article also confirmed that there were statistically significant differences between successful and unsuccessful film tourism destinations, regarding their residents' perceptions towards film tourism impacts. Important practical implications for destination stakeholders and marketers are offered in relation to a better understanding of film tourism phenomena and local residents' perceptions towards their impacts. This will lead to more sustainable film tourism planning and development.