Resident Attitudes towards Tourism Development in Conservative Cultures: The Case of Qatar

resident attitudes;tourism development;Recreation and Leisure Studies (Tourism, Policy and Planning)

Akkawi, Mais

University of Waterloo

关键词: resident attitudes;    tourism development;    Recreation and Leisure Studies (Tourism, Policy and Planning);   

Others  :  https://uwspace.uwaterloo.ca/bitstream/10012/5298/1/Mais%20Akkawi%20final%20thesis%20%281%29.pdf

瑞士|英语

来源: UWSPACE Waterloo Institutional Repository

【 摘 要 】

Over the past decade, Persian Gulf countries witnessed an increase in tourism development and thenumber of international tourists. Though tourism development plays an important role inenhancing economies, tourism development may conflict with the region;;s conservative traditionsand culture. The purpose of this research is to identify the attitudes and perceptions of residents inthe State of Qatar towards the impacts of tourism development by: 1) applying Ap & Crompton;;s(1998) Index of Tourism Impacts (ITI): measuring the physical/ecological/social or culturalenvironments, and the residents;; acceptance of visitors, 2) by identifying resident attitudes asexpressed on Qatari-based social networks, and 3) through personal observation of residentattitudes.Respondents were selected using a convenience sampling technique to complete a surveyinstrument. Non-intrusive personal observation was also carried out to observe the nature ofhost-guest interactions at local tourist areas. Material regarding resident attitudes towardstourism development published through local media and forums on local social networks werecollected. Descriptive statistics, factor analysis, and independent t-tests were used to describe dataand to better understand resident attitudes towards the ITI dimensions. Content analysis was usedto analyze forum entries, and field note extracts of personal observations were also used topresent observed behaviours of residents.Survey findings reveal that resident attitudes differed according to respondents;; age, lengthof residence, and ethnicity, particularly with respect to perceptions of change in local services andnatural environment. The content analysis of forums revealed mixed feelings by residents(primary expatriates) towards tourism development. An attitude typology was derived fromresident attitudes expressed through forum entries. Attitudes ranged from ;;denying tourism;;sexistence” to ;;encouraging tourism”. Field observation of behaviours also revealed mixed attitudestowards the presence and behaviours of tourists, where residents either ;;accepted tourism” or;;disapproved tourism”. Results suggested further research be carried out in testing the attitudetypology in countries within the same region, and to modify the belief scale items and dimensions.