The effect of minority residents’ attitudes and emotional solidarity on ethnic neighborhood tourism: a multigroup invariance analysis

Abstract

In urban areas where ethnic composition is not homogeneous, interethnic relations play a critical role in attitudes tourism representing a particular ethnic culture, or ethnic neighborhood tourism. However, few studies have explored minority residents’ perceptions of interethnic relations, solidarity, and attitudes towards tourism. Given members of the dominant and minority ethnic groups differ in social status and power, they may have different orientations towards interethnic relationships and cultural representation. Furthermore, no study has compared multiple diasporic groups whose social relationships with the dominant ethnic group might differ within a country. By applying the common in-group identity model and the interactive acculturation model, this study aims to explore whether and how interethnic relations with members of a dominant ethnic group influence attitudes about ethnic neighborhood tourism among members of ethnic minority groups whose culture is represented for tourism. This research focuses on Korean and Brazilian immigrants and their descendants. Analysis of 343 completed questionnaires revealed that interethnic relationships within the local communities influence minority residents’ attitudes tourism development. However, the comparison of the two diasporic groups revealed have different orientations towards interethnic relations and tourism. This may be because of various acculturation experiences and socioeconomic conditions.