Distance effects on residents' attitudes toward tourism

A theoretical model of resident support for tourism that is based on the social exchange theory was shown to be valid regardless of the distance between residents' homes and tourism attractions. However, distance had a significant effect on how the costs and benefits were evaluated. Recreation resource users living closest to the attraction who used it heavily felt more negatively about tourism than did those users living further away. Environmentally sensitive residents who lived closest to the site were more supportive of tourism than more distant residents.