The Influence of Social Contact in Residents’ Perceptions of the Tourism Impact on Their Quality of Life: A Structural Equation Model

Maria João Carneiro,Celeste Eusébio,Ana Caldeira

doi:10.1080/1528008x.2017.1314798

Maria João Carneiro, Celeste Eusébio + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1080/1528008x.2017.1314798

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Abstract

ABSTRACTThis article develops and tests a structural model that illustrates relationships between host–tourist interaction (intensity and satisfaction) and tourism impacts on residents’ Quality of Life (QOL). The model is tested using a survey of residents of two coastal tourism destinations located in the Central Region of Portugal. The results reveal that the social interaction has a significant impact on the resident’s perceptions of the impacts of tourism on their QOL. However, this impact differs according to the domain of the QOL. Moreover, satisfaction with interaction positively influences all domains of QOL and is the construct with the second greatest total effect on the impacts of tourism on residents’ overall QOL. The results highlight the relevance of stimulating a satisfying social interaction between residents and visitors in order to increase the impacts of tourism on residents’ QOL. Theoretical contributions and practical implications are stated based on the results.

Highlights

In recent decades, Quality-of-Life (QOL) research has increased considerably in areas such as medicine, marketing, economics, and environmental science (Uysal, Sirgy, Woo, & Kim, 2016)
In order to ensure a sustainable development of these two communities, it was considered of utmost importance to analyze how social contact with tourists influenced the residents’ perceptions of tourism impacts on their QOL
The results reveal that tourism has a crucial role in improving residents’ QOL

Summary

Introduction

Quality-of-Life (QOL) research has increased considerably in areas such as medicine, marketing, economics, and environmental science (Uysal, Sirgy, Woo, & Kim, 2016). Given its characteristics, has great potential to influence the QOL of all stakeholders involved in its development process. A growing interest in research on QOL perceptions can be noted in the field of tourism, both from the perspectives of tourists and residents (e.g., Chancellor, Yu, & Cole, 2011; Dolnicar, Lazarevski, & Yanamandram, 2013; Eusébio & Carneiro, 2014; Kim, Uysal, & Sirgy, 2013; Nawijn & Mitas, 2012; Uysal et al, 2016; Yamada, Heo, King, & Fu, 2011). Despite the widespread knowledge that tourism may have great potential for enhancing residents’ QOL, a limited number of studies have.

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