Residents’ Attitude toward Aboriginal Cultural Tourism Development: An Integration of Two Theories

Chi-Ming Hsieh, Bi-Kun Tsai and Han-Shen Chen
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Chi-Ming Hsieh: International Bachelor Program of Agribusiness, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung City 40227, Taiwan
Bi-Kun Tsai: Graduate Institute of Bio-Industry Management, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung City 40227, Taiwan
Han-Shen Chen: Department of Health Diet and Industry Management, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung City 40201, Taiwan

Sustainability, 2017, vol. 9, issue 6, 1-10

Abstract: Understanding residents’ attitudes is critical for successfully developing cultural tourism in aboriginal protected areas. This study developed an integration model combining two theories to identify the key determinants of indigenous residents’ attitudes toward cultural tourism development. Social exchange theory stresses the impact of the benefits derived from tourism on indigenous residents’ attitudes toward tourism development. Social capital theory embeds clear rationales for strengthening the internalization process of the formation of residents’ shared values and understanding, enabling them to trust each other and thus support tourism development. The present study was conducted within two indigenous communities in Eastern Taiwan. The results revealed that cultural tourism benefits and structural and relational capital effectively predict indigenous residents’ attitudes toward tourism development; structural capital plays a critical mediating role in the relationship between tourism benefits and residents’ attitudes. The managerial implications provide recommendations for aboriginal community developers or practical sectors to avoid problems or costs caused by tourism development when promoting cultural tourism activities within indigenous communities.

Keywords: social exchange theory; social capital theory; aboriginal cultural tourism development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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