The Influence of Knowledge on Residents’ Perceptions of the Impacts of Overtourism in P2P Accommodation Rental

Desiderio Gutiérrez-Taño,Joan Garau-Vadell,Ricardo Díaz-Armas

doi:10.3390/su11041043

Desiderio Gutiérrez-Taño, Joan Garau-Vadell + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su11041043

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Abstract

Accommodation rental activity through P2P platforms has experienced exponential growth in recent years, and in many cities has generated discomfort among residents who hold it responsible for overtourism and other negative impacts. Understanding residents’ perceptions and attitudes is fundamental for the sustainable development of tourism activity. This study investigates the influence of residents’ “knowledge” of the activity on their perception of impacts and their attitude towards it. Using the social exchange theory as a theoretical framework, this paper compares the data obtained in the world-class destination Majorca, in 2015 and 2017. Data was gathered through a convenience sampling procedure with self-administered questionnaires. The results confirm the influence of this variable on the perception of the impacts and its moderating effect on residents’ attitudes. The study confirms the influence of a greater level of knowledge of the activity on the perception of the impacts and on attitudes and it generally results in a greater perception of the costs and a lesser impact of benefits. The implications in terms of destination management are also discussed.

Highlights

Extensive literature compiled over the last 30 years has studied and highlighted the crucial significance of residents’ support when encouraging tourism developments [1,2,3,4,5,6]
As well as the debate about the legitimacy and legality of this new world of exchange and the strong opposition from significant advocates for traditional business models, who accuse the portals of unfair competition [10,16,17], conflict has arisen in some destinations between residents and tourists
In cities like Barcelona or Berlin, these incidents have led to loud demonstrations by citizens, who blame uncontrolled holiday accommodation for, among other things, overcrowding of the destination, increased rental prices, a lower quality of life, a deterioration in the coexistence of neighbouring citizens and local residents being forced to leave [18]

Summary

Introduction

Extensive literature compiled over the last 30 years has studied and highlighted the crucial significance of residents’ support when encouraging tourism developments [1,2,3,4,5,6]. In cities like Barcelona or Berlin, these incidents have led to loud demonstrations by citizens, who blame uncontrolled holiday accommodation for, among other things, overcrowding of the destination, increased rental prices, a lower quality of life, a deterioration in the coexistence of neighbouring citizens and local residents being forced to leave [18]. Many of these negative arguments, especially in destinations with a higher incidence of holiday accommodation, have been widely published, both in the press and via other means of communication [19]

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