SOCIAL IMPACTS

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to identify and examine the attitudes of residents in Bath, United Kingdom, towards tourism development. This paper believes that research conducted on hosts ’ perceptions of the impacts of tourism is predominantly descriptive and lacking in a consistent approach to measurement. The primary aim is therefore to establish a benchmark study for Bath, enabling future longitudinal and comparative analyses of host attitudes. A sample was secured from the residents, factor analysis and regression analyses were conducted to ascertain whether there were any underlying dimensions regarding their attitudes of tourism development, and if socioeconomic and demographic characteristics were useful predictors of residents ' attitudes. Keywords: social impacts, historic cities, Bath, host perception