The Relationship between Religiosity and Local Residents' Perception of Socio-Cultural Impacts of Tourism

Abstract

Tourism, based on interaction of people who have different cultures and beliefs, is prioritized by many local and national administrators, primarily because of its economic benefits. However, it also has many environmental and socio-cultural effects. Although many factors affecting local residents' perception about tourism impacts have been examined, religiosity has mainly been under-represented. In this context, this study examines whether religiosity is effective on the perception of the socio-cultural effects of tourism, since religiosity is an important factor on communal and individual thoughts and behaviours. The study was a quantitative research and data was collected by a questionnaire from residents of Mentese district of Mugla (N=528). In the study, multivariate statistical analysis methods were adopted and factor analyses (descriptive and confirmatory) and path analysis were applied. The results emphasize that as religiosity increases, the perception of negative socio -cultural impacts is strengthened, but there is no relation between religiosity and positive socio-cultural impact perception. These results indicate that planners and decision makers should consider the beliefs of the local people while planning and developing tourism.