Local perception of impacts, attitudes and actions regarding tourism development in the Murtal vacation region in Austria

Summary of the study

Local residents are always the recipients of economic, environmental and socio-cultural impacts of tourism development. The impacts perceived by residents, their attitudes towards tourism and the resulting supportive or negative actions collectively influence the success of tourism, but these relationships are not fully understood, especially in small regions with rapid growth. This study investigated how tourism impacts are perceived by the local population, shape local attitudes and in turn lead to active or passive supportive actions. It explored the predisposition of the link between attitude and behavior, taking into account the underlying aspects of impacts. By hypothesizing this link and conducting an empirical, survey-based study in the Murtal Holiday Region (URM) in Austria, the results from the local population suggest that local attitudes are significantly influenced by tourism impacts. In particular, socio-cultural impacts influenced attitudes to a greater extent than the economic and environmental dimensions. The overall prevailing attitude of residents in the URM is strongly positive, as respondents expressed openness towards tourism development and the vast majority agreed that the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. A significant positive correlation between attitude and support was found. However, residents also intended to support tourism development passively rather than actively, although the link between attitude and specific active or passive actions is not evident.

Key findings of this study

• Local attitudes towards tourism are significantly influenced by perceived impacts. Socio-cultural impacts had a greater influence than economic and environmental dimensions.
• The prevailing attitude of residents in the Murtal vacation region (URM) is strongly positive. Respondents were open to tourism development and the majority believed that the advantages outweighed the disadvantages.
• A significant positive correlation was found between attitudes and support for tourism development. A more positive attitude goes hand in hand with a higher willingness to support.
• Residents tend to support tourism development passively rather than actively. However, a direct link from attitude to specific active or passive actions is not evident.
• Negative impacts such as traffic congestion, noise and pollution are local concerns. Inflation and the unequal distribution of economic benefits are also perceived as problems.

Publication: Mike Peters, Chung-Shing Chan, Anita Legerer (2018)