Tourism, Quality of Life, and Residents of A Rural Town

Abstract

Numerous studies have discussed the potential impacts of tourism on residents' quality of life (QOL). Despite this rich body of research, some researchers have identified the need to investigate this dimension using a qualitative approach as well as in rural areas where tourism is under development. Partly in response to these calls, the present study uses the case of a Western Australian town to investigate QOL through the lens of social exchange theory. Through focus groups, face-to-face interviews, and online questionnaires, qualitative data were gathered among the town's residents. Overall, the impacts of tourism on participants' QOL are positive. Four predominant exchanges related to QOL from tourism's effects emerged: economic, bonding, material, and cultural. Although economic exchanges—including job creation and income—are the main triggers of QOL, bonding exchanges—through volunteering and attending events—are also considered as fundamental. This study discusses key implications and suggests future research avenues.

Residents’ support for tourism development: Investigating quality-of-life, community commitment, and communication

“…First, there is a clear link between sectoral impact and QOL. That is, residents' overall well-being increases if tourism has positive socio-economic, cultural, and environmental effects (Alonso & Nyanjom, 2016;Kim, 2002). The participants reported that tourism improves their lives in these three dimensions, which supports SET's prediction that if tourism has high economic benefits, then residents' have positive perceptions of its social and environmental effects (Getz, 1994).…”

Residents’ support for tourism development: Investigating quality-of-life, community commitment, and communication

“…First, there is a clear link between sectoral impact and QOL. That is, residents' overall well-being increases if tourism has positive socio-economic, cultural, and environmental effects (Alonso & Nyanjom, 2016;Kim, 2002). The participants reported that tourism improves their lives in these three dimensions, which supports SET's prediction that if tourism has high economic benefits, then residents' have positive perceptions of its social and environmental effects (Getz, 1994).…”

Toward an Assessment of Quality of Life Indicators as Measures of Destination Performance

“…This conceptual shift away from thinking about tourism value only in regard to its economic assets has initiated an extensive research stream that concentrates on nonconventional outcome measures of tourism (Uysal 2019). The majority of studies on quality of life in tourism focus on identifying how tourism activities impact various QoL dimensions of tourists (e.g., Kim, Woo, and Uysal 2015; Ramkissoon, Mavondo, and Uysal 2018), residents (e.g., Alonso and Nyanjom 2016; Andereck and Nyaupane 2011; Kim, Uysal, and Sirgy 2013; Liang and Hui 2016; Perdue and Gustke 1991; Su, Huang, and Huang 2018), and tourism employees (e.g., Kara et al 2013; Kim et al 2018). Despite the abundance of research, this topic is not yet exhausted.…”