The Sustainable Tourism Development in Hong Kong: An Analysis of Hong Kong Residents’ Attitude Towards Mainland Chinese Tourist

Abstract

This study examines the local residents' attitudes towards the Mainland Chinese tourists visiting Hong Kong and identifies both the extrinsic and intrinsic factors influencing these attitudes. Results showed that Hong Kong residents perceive Mainland Chinese tourists very positively due to their important role in Hong Kong's economic development. However, it is undeniable that their negative and dissatisfactory attitudes are also very apparent. Based on the findings, Hong Kong residents can be defined as "ambivalent supporters," and the negative impact of this attitude on tourism development in Hong Kong is becoming very influential. In the long run, how to change local residents from "ambivalent supporters to "ardent supporters" needs to be addressed in order to ensure the healthy development of Hong Kong inbound tourism.

Responsible tourism in Bangkok, Thailand: Resident perceptions of Chinese tourist behaviour

“…Views of economically responsible behaviours were not significant for predicting overall perception of Chinese tourist responsibility. These findings are supported by other studies identifying positive resident perceptions towards economic impacts but negative perceptions towards socio‐cultural and environmental impacts generated by tourism in general or by the so‐called Chinese tourist wave in particular (Lee, Bonn, Reid, & Kim, ; Prendergast, Lam, & Ki, ; Shen, Luo, & Zhao, ; Siu et al, ).…”

Residents’ Attitudes Towards Sustainable Tourism in Cancun

“…Overall, their attitude towards the relationship between tourism and sustainability is ambivalent or, at best, indecisive (2.97) ( Table 5). This matches the findings of Shen et al, (2017) in Hong Kong, where residents reportedly had an ambivalent attitude towards tourism development.…”

Analyzing the Economic Sustainability of Tourism Development: Evidence from Hong Kong

“…The Nielsen Company (2010) reported that more than 80% of respondents were either positive or neutral toward the increasing number of mainland tourists shopping in Hong Kong. Another study conducted by Shen et al (2017) found that while Hong Kong residents worried about the negative impacts of tourism, they expected more Mainland Chinese tourists. The finding is a complement to some previous studies.…”

“…For example, Zhang, Fan, Tse, and King (2016) measured sustainability of tourism development from the social perspective. Shen, Luo, and Zhao (2017) examined local residents' attitudes toward mainland Chinese tourists as well as the factors that influences these attitudes; however, systematic understanding of the residents' attitudes and the reasons for these attitudes are still lacking. To provide a better understanding of the progress toward sustainable tourism and to relieve the conflict between the visitors and the hosts, a tool that could analyze the economic sustainability of tourism development is urgent and necessary.…”