Factors affecting residents’ support to the development of religious tourism: the case of Santa Cruz (RN), Brazil

This study is about the primary stakeholder management - the resident community, with the principal aim to analyze the factors that can to influence the residents’ support to the development of religious tourism in Santa Cruz, State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, and the existing interrelationships between factors. In order to achieve this objective, it was necessary to use descriptive research, followed by a quantitative approach with application of questionnaires with 422 residents of Santa Cruz-RN city. The study relied on the variables relationship model proposed by Nunkoo and Ramkissoon (2012), it was also used the technique of Structural Equation Modeling - SEM, aiming to explain the relationships between the constructs studied. Findings suggest that more the residents realize the benefits generated by tourism, as well as trust in government actors in charge of tourism development, the more there will be a propensity to support the development of religious tourism. We conclude that the structural model that best represents the reality of Santa Cruz-RN is composed of the constructs: benefits and costs of tourism development in the local, as well as the confidence in governmental actors