Relationship Between Community Attachment, Perceptions on Economic Impacts of Tourism and Support to Tourism Development: an Implementation in a Settlement Near But Distant From Tourism

Abstract: Tourism is one of the most important economic sectors in world and its impacts on local communities are discussed in the literature frequently. Even though also socio-cultural and environmental impac ts are also examined, the focus is on economic effects. This study investigates whether community attachment makes difference in perceptions on economic impacts and in supporting tourism development. The study utilizes multiple analysis methods and Path Analysis and is important in terms of examining relationship between community attachment and perceptions of local residents in a settlement which is very near to popular tourism destinations but also where is distant from the tourism activities. Thus it contributes to tourism planning literature. Findings reveal out that community attachment has relations with economic impacts and positive support for tourism development, while it has no relation with negative thoughts about tourism development