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Perceptions of tourism impacts: A longitudinal study using data from the Sunshine Coast residents
Conference paper   Peer reviewed

Perceptions of tourism impacts: A longitudinal study using data from the Sunshine Coast residents

Bishnu Sharma and Pamela K Dyer
Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Marketing and Management : Conference Proceedings, pp.526-532
Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Marketing and Management Conference, 2011 (Istanbul, Turkey, 19-Jun-2011–24-Jun-2011)
Washington State University
2011
url
http://www.httrc.com/ahtmm/View
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Abstract

Tourism tourism resident perceptions Sunshine Coast surveys
This study investigates whether there has been a change in residents' perceptions of living on, and tourism impacts, on the Sunshine Coast in 2009 from their perceptions of 2008. In collecting the data for this study, a survey approach was taken. The survey attracted 1572 and 587 resident participants in 2008 and 2009 respectively. Over 55% of the respondents reported that lifestyle and general pace of life were the key attractions of living on the Sunshine Coast in 2009 as opposed to 32% in 2008. The results also demonstrate a significant increase in residents' perceptions that tourism is likely to have a positive impact on the cultural identity of the community and provide more parks and other recreational areas for local residents. The study also found that between 2008 and 2009 there was a significant decrease in the residents' concerns regarding traffic congestion; noise and pollution; crime rates; destruction of the natural environment; and unpleasantly overcrowded beaches, and bush walking paths, parks and outdoor facilities in the community. The study, however, reveals no significant differences in the residents' perceptions of conservation of natural resources; creation of employment; and the possibility of having more cultural exchange between tourists and residents due to tourism. Overall, these findings are favourable for tourism-related stakeholders in developing future tourism plans for the region in that residents' appear to be more willing to support tourism development. They also indicate the importance of not relying on a single measure in time when making policy and planning decisions.

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