Residents Attitudes towards Tourism Development: A Case Study of Niasar, Iran

摘要

Tourism is one of the largest and fasted growing industries in the world. It is an increasingly important source of income, employment and wealth in many countries. Its rapid expansion has, however, had detrimental environmental (and socio- cultural) impacts in many regions. The current study investigates the perceptions of residents in a Niasar, where tourism is not well developed although the area has great potential for further development. Using stratified proportionate random sampeling technique and based on cocran sampeling methodology. The study was carried out with field research approach and the validity of research tool was obtained by idea of experts and for reliability of questionnaires a pilot test was conducted. Cronbach Alpha coefficient of higher than 0.7 showed that research tool is reliable. Descriptive and inferential statistics such as frequency, percentage, factor analysis and regresion were used to data analysis. The result of factor analysis showed that four factors named as Economic impacts, Social and cultural impacts, Environmental impacts, Developmental and other issues explained 76.21% of variance of perceptions of residents. Results showed that Responder have positive perception to tourism. Liner regression analysis indicated that 76% of variation in perceptions of residents was determined by the four variables.