Power through tourism: A blessing on Mahsuri's eighth generation in Langkawi?

摘要

One of the frameworks used in earlier studies to understand residents' attitudes towards tourism development is based on social exchange theory. Basically, this framework explains that residents will have positive attitudes towards tourism if they feel that tourism gives them more benefits than costs. This study proposed that social exchange theory alone cannot sufficiently explain residents' attitudes towards tourism. A literature review indicated that power plays a role in the exchange between residents and tourism; thus it was proposed that power might play a role in determining residents' attitudes.;In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirty residents from the 'power' group (those who had certain resources that would allow them to take advantage of the opportunities offered by tourism) and sixteen residents from the 'no-power' group (those who had no resources that would allow them to take advantage of the opportunities offered by tourism). An interview guide based on a conceptual framework established from literature reviewed was used during each interview. These data were then analyzed qualitatively to explore the contribution of power in explaining residents' attitudes towards tourism.;Findings reveal that social exchange theory is useful in examining residents' attitudes towards tourism---during their exchange with tourism, residents indeed based their attitudes on their evaluations of the impacts. Power does not appear to affect residents' evaluations of these impacts directly. Instead, residents' general values (about religion, culture, equity, resources, and the environment), their dependence on tourism, and their ability and willingness to adapt seem to have more direct influence on the evaluation of impacts than power. Study results are expected to be useful to researchers with interests in expanding conceptualizations on the understanding of residents' attitudes towards tourism. The results are also useful to tourism planners with interests in understanding issues that arise due to tourism development.