Regional tourism development: An investigation of resident attitudes toward community, tourism development and potential for change within the LAC framework.

摘要

The purpose of this research was to use the Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC) concept as a framework for better understanding the process of sustainable tourism development on a regional scale. The LAC approach has been used primarily in wilderness settings and its applicability in tourism environments has not been studied. The goal of LAC is to help set a basis for allowing environmental change consistent with different types of tourism as represented by Tourism Development Zone's (TDZ's). By refining ways to develop TDZ's and their specific indicators we may be able to define what impacts will matter and eventually develop more sound ways of managing tourism regions in a sustainable manner.; A survey instrument was developed that attempted to measure how attached residents were to their community how they felt about tourism development, what types of development they felt were appropriate in their community, and how they felt that certain conditions in their community might change with tourism development.; The results suggested that TDZ's might exist in the Calhoun County region based on how residents (the resource) felt about their community. Respondents from one community were especially concerned about tourism development and its potential for negative change. Communities differed in the way they perceived a number of tourism related variables. Community leaders were found to be more positive toward all types of tourism suggesting the need to include a wide constituency in the tourism planning process. This will help to make sure all perspectives (positive and negative) are represented.; The LAC may provide a useful framework for regional tourism planning (as opposed to wilderness planning) if adjustments are made to accommodate a more diverse group of stakeholders and the complex social, cultural and economic system that exists in a community.