| dc.description.abstract | Over the past decade, Persian Gulf countries witnessed an increase in tourism development and the
number of international tourists. Though tourism development plays an important role in
enhancing economies, tourism development may conflict with the region's conservative traditions
and culture. The purpose of this research is to identify the attitudes and perceptions of residents in
the State of Qatar towards the impacts of tourism development by: 1) applying Ap & Crompton's
(1998) Index of Tourism Impacts (ITI): measuring the physical/ecological/social or cultural
environments, and the residents' acceptance of visitors, 2) by identifying resident attitudes as
expressed on Qatari-based social networks, and 3) through personal observation of resident
attitudes.
Respondents were selected using a convenience sampling technique to complete a survey
instrument. Non-intrusive personal observation was also carried out to observe the nature of
host-guest interactions at local tourist areas. Material regarding resident attitudes towards
tourism development published through local media and forums on local social networks were
collected. Descriptive statistics, factor analysis, and independent t-tests were used to describe data
and to better understand resident attitudes towards the ITI dimensions. Content analysis was used
to analyze forum entries, and field note extracts of personal observations were also used to
present observed behaviours of residents.
Survey findings reveal that resident attitudes differed according to respondents' age, length
of residence, and ethnicity, particularly with respect to perceptions of change in local services and
natural environment. The content analysis of forums revealed mixed feelings by residents
(primary expatriates) towards tourism development. An attitude typology was derived from
resident attitudes expressed through forum entries. Attitudes ranged from “denying tourism's
existence” to “encouraging tourism”. Field observation of behaviours also revealed mixed attitudes
towards the presence and behaviours of tourists, where residents either “accepted tourism” or
“disapproved tourism”. Results suggested further research be carried out in testing the attitude
typology in countries within the same region, and to modify the belief scale items and dimensions. | en |
