An evaluation on the attitudes of residents in georgetown towards the impacts of tourism development

Abstract

The study confirms the usefulness of social exchange theory in explaining residents’ perception toward tourism development in Georgetown. There are positive and significant relationship between personal benefit gained from tourism development, perceived positive impacts and support for tourism development. Nevertheless, only one finding which is not in aligned with social exchange theory. There is no significant relationship for perceived negative impact towards support for additional tourism development. In short, residents who benefit from tourism development in Georgetown perceived greater positive impact than those who receive less benefit or do not receive any benefit. The positive impact that resident perceived has a positive relationship with their support level toward tourism development.