Residents’ perception of a mature and mass tourism destination: the determinant factors in Gran Canaria

Abstract

Residents’ perception towards tourism has been studied in previous literature, but, in many cases, the analysis is based on studies of the impacts of new developments. In this study, we analyse the main determinant factors of residents’ perception in Gran Canaria, a well-known mature and mass tourism destination in Europe. In addition to tourism, the analysis is extended towards the tourists themselves after more than 50 years of residents and tourists interaction. The analysis is based on a stratified random sample of 504 residents and ordinal logit models that extract the main determinant factors that explain different residents’ perceptions towards tourism: (1) creation of new jobs; (2) development of infrastructures; (3) generation of wealth and economic growth; (4) the economy of the municipality; and towards tourists: (5) purchasing power; (6) behaviour; and (7) respect for the environment. The main determinant factors, the varied nuances and other third variables involved are obtained and commented. The article contributes empirically shedding some light in the complex phenomenon of residents’ perception towards tourism and tourists.