Role of place image in support for tourism development: The mediating role of multi-dimensional impacts

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between place image, perception of tourism impacts, and support for tourism within the framework of multi-dimensionalities of both place image and tourism impacts. With Urgup, Turkey, serving as the destination context, the study population comprises of 336 survey responses from local households. Variance-based partial least squares-structural equation modeling was used to analyze data with the mediating role of resident perception of tourism positive impact dimensions associated with place image as a major tool for destination development. In light of the study's findings, while entertainment services and social environment as sub-dimensions of the place image were found to positively affect all dimensions of tourism's positive impacts, the results also illustrated that the dimension of community service positively and significantly affected the perceptions of economic and socio-cultural impacts. Moreover, the positively perceived economic, environmental, and socio-cultural effects of tourism positively affected the social support for tourism development. Accordingly, destination management organizations (DMOs) are advised to adopt strategies to ensure that the relationship between the place-image perceptions of residents and their support for tourism in the light of a possible mediator effect of tourism positive impacts are taken into account during destination development plan. The paper closes by arguing that the local people's positive place-image perception about and support for tourism development in their residential area may not be sustained unless further supportive measures are taken by local and central governments.