The effect of personal benefits from, and support of, tourism development: the role of relational quality and quality-of-life

Current research on tourist destination residents' attitudes lacks an in-depth investigation of the roles of the resident-community relationship and quality-of-life. Using social exchange and relational quality theories, this study examines the effect of personal benefits from tourism on the resident-community relationship. Hypothesized relationships are examined using the structural equation model technique. Utilizing a stratified random sampling technique, residents of Gulangyu Island located in Xiamen City, China, were surveyed. By integrating ideas from both social exchange theory and relational quality theory, the current study provides new insights into the relationship amongst the perceived personal benefits that residents obtain from tourism in their communities and the resulting level of their backing for tourism development. Relational quality theory is extended through investigation of the function of important relationship variables in the unique setting of a tourist destination. Study findings also provide support for a quality-of-life to support for tourism development relationship. In addition, multi-mediating analysis provides new insights regarding the nature of the relationship that personal benefits from tourism have with resident backing for tourism development. Findings from this study can assist researchers and destination officials to better identify some of the driving factors that impact resident support for tourism development.