The spatial moderating effect of environmental pollution on the relationship between tourism and community resilience

Abstract

Prior studies have shown contrasting findings that tourism positively and/or negatively affects community resilience. This study explores the spatially heterogeneous mixed effects of tourism industry specialization on community resilience and identifies a key moderator that affects their positive/negative associations in 3108 counties in the United States and 67 counties in Florida. Geographically weighted regression combined with a spatial moderation analysis was applied to consider spatial interactions between communities. The findings show that tourism industry specialization has spatially heterogeneous mixed effects on community resilience, and these effects are significantly affected by environmental pollution. Specifically, the results demonstrate differences in the relationships between tourism industry specialization, community resilience, and environmental pollution in tourism-dependent communities and communities in general. Environmental pollution negatively affects the associations between community resilience and (a) arts/entertainment/recreation sectors in the United States and (b) accommodation/food service sectors in Florida. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are also discussed. • Spatially heterogeneous positive and/or negative impacts of tourism on community resilience were identified across the United States. • Environmental pollution was identified as a key moderating factor that significantly affects the association between tourism and community resilience. • Results differences were identified between tourism-dependent and general communities by the type of tourism sectors. • Geographically weighted regression combined with spatial moderation analysis was applied. • Localized community resilience enhancement strategies considering tourism industry specialization and environmental pollution were suggested.