Impacts of toursim on locals - Essay Example

Impact of Tourism on Locals Impact of Tourism on Locals Social Exchange Theory and Tourism Tourism is a viable alternative to boost the economy of a locality or country. Tourism is the largest industry in the world and provides income to the people and the government and a source of livelihood of many people (Sharpley 2008). By the end of 2006, there are more than 800 million arrivals, and six times this figure represents annual domestic tourism (Sharpley 2008). With such volume of movement of people, tourism has social repercussions that impact the local inhabitants (Sharpley 2008).

The Social Exchange Theory is one framework used by sociologists in studying such impact.The Social Exchange Theory (SET) seeks to explore the “exchange of resources between individual and groups in an interaction” where “actors supply one another with valued resources” (Ap 1992, p. 668, cited in Andriotis 2009, para. 3). The theory, an eclectic approach that includes psychology, sociology and economics, studies tourism under a social psychological and sociological lens (Yutyunyong 2009).

An individual will engage in exchange when: a) there is value to the reward, b) it is perceived that the exchange will result to a valued reward, and c) the perceived cost is not more than the perceived reward (Skidmore 1975, cited in Jennings & Nickerson 2006). Under SET, inhabitants of a place tend to “have a positive attitude to tourism as long as the perceived benefits exceed the perceived costs” (Yutyunyong 2009, p. 2). SET purports that a person seeks reward and avoid punishment, thus, he acts with expectation of profit in mind (Yutyunyong 2009).

People participate in the exchange as it promises enhancement of economic life of the people (Yutyunyong 2009). Inhabitants uphold tourism in the area when the benefit they receive from tourism exceeds the negative effects (Yutyunyong 2009). Under this theory, relationship among individuals is formed with an underlying cost and benefit objective (Yutyunyong 2009). Thus, if an individual sees that the cost would be more than the perceived benefit, the individual will abandon the relationship (Yutyunyong 2009).

The relationship is equitable when the cost is equal to the benefit (Yutyunyong 2009), the notion of equity which Emerson (1962, cited in Yutyunyong 2009) believes to be main concern of the theory.The theory seeks to understand the exchange of resources between individuals in the process of interaction wherein the object of the exchange possess a value that is measurable, with mutual transference of cost and benefit on both parties (Ap, 1992; Madrigal, 1995, cited in Yutyunyong 2009). This framework is used in numerous studies to understand why tourism development is accepted or rejected by localities (Yutyunyong 2009).

But within a locality, there are groups that might accept or reject the proposed tourism development (Andriotis 2005). It can also occur that while the inhabitants would accept the development, some groups reject certain facilities, actions or types of tourist despite the economic benefits tourism can offer (Andriotis 2005). Residents also develop negative perceptions with the introduction of tourism such as "increased noise, litter, traffic, crime, over-crowding" and increase in prices (Haley, Snaith & Miller 2004, p. 5).Assessment of cost and benefit factors is done before an individual engages in exchange (Homans 1961, cited in Jennings & Nickerson 2006).

Only when assessment efforts reveal that costs will not exceed the benefits that inhabitants will favor and support tourism development (Turner 1986, cited in Jennings & Nickerson 2006). Research under this framework solicits residents’ view on the effects (called impacts) of tourism, their opinion and degree of support (Gee et al 1989; Gursoy et al 2000; Milman and Pizam 1998; Perdue et al. 1990, cited in Jennings & Nickerson 2006). Residents assess the costs and benefits differently and may be affected by: a) their “participation in recreation,” (Keoggh 1990; Perdue et al.

1987, cited in Jennings & Nickerson 2006, p. 195), b) “attachment to the community or length of residence” (Um & Crompton 1987, cited in Jennings & Nickerson 2006, p. 195), c) “knowledge about the industry” (Davis et al. 1988, cited in Jennings & Nickerson 2006, p. 195), d) “proximity to its business zone, or contact with tourists” (Belisle & Hoy 1980, Jurowski & Gursoy 2003; Sheldon & Var 1984, cited in Jennings & Nickerson 2006, pp. 195-96), e) “sociodemographic characteristics” (Brougham & Butler 1981; Ritchie 1988, cited in Jennings & Nickerson 2006, p. 196), f) “political and demographic position in society” (Mansfeld 1992; Thomason et al.

1979, cited in Jennings & Nickerson 2006, p. 196), g) “type and form of tourism” (Murphy 1981; Ritchie 1988, cited in Jennings & Nickerson 2006, p. 196), and h) “economic benefits derived from the industry” (Ap 1992; Liu and Var 1986; Pizam 1978; Prentice 1993, cited in Jennings & Nickerson 2006, p. 196). The consolidation of the foundations that pave the way for SET is attributed to American sociologist Collin Benjamin Hoekstra with George Homan’s (1958) work, the “Social Behavior as Exchange,” as the pivotal study that used SET (“social exchange theory” 2010).

Thereafter, scholars cited the work of Homan, but social psychologists John Thibaut and Harold Kelley further worked on the development of the theory (Thibaut & Kelley 1959, cited in “social exchange theory” 2010).ReferencesAndriotis K, 2005. Community Groups Perceptions of and Preferences for Tourism Development: Evidence from Crete. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 67-90. DOI: 10.1177/1096348004268196. Available from: . [Accessed 3 April 2010].Andriotis K, 2009 April 7.

Community Attitudes towards Tourism Development. SciTopics. Available from: . [Accessed 4 April 2010].Haley A, Snaith T & Miller G, 2004 October 8. The Social Impacts of Tourism: A Case Study of Bath, U.K. AnnalSMS#29006. Available from: . [Accessed 4 April 2010]. Jennings G & Nickerson NP, 2006. Quality tourism experiences. Available from: . [Accessed 5 April 2010].Sharpley R, 2008 January. Tourism, Tourists and Society. Elm Consulting Ltd. Elm Publications. Available from: . [Accessed 5 April 2010].

“social exchange theory,” 2010 April 8. Wapedia. Available from: . [Accessed 8 April 2010].Yutyunyong T, 2009 February. The Integration of Social Exchange Theory and Social Representations Theory: A New Perspective on Residents’ Perception Research. Available from: . [Accessed 3 April 2010].