Investigation of the effects of tourism development on individual and community quality of life of locals

In this study, multidimensional relations among tourism impacts, individual quality of life, community quality of life and attitude to tourism development have been investigated. The study aims to examine the effects of tourism development on individual and community quality of life of locals as well as to find out the variables that might have an impact on the support for tourism development. A total of 813 valid questionnaires have been obtained for the research that is carried out in Alanya district of Antalya city between May-November 2017 by using the survey method of quantitative approaches. The research model has been tested for different groups based on economic dependence on tourism. Findings reveal that, positive impacts of tourism comparing to negative ones and economic impacts of tourism comparing to sociocultural and environmental ones have been perceived more by locals. Results also indicate that, while the locals who are economically depend on tourism perceive more positive impacts rather than negative ones, it was completely contrary for others. Furthermore, findings support that positive and negative impacts of tourism have significant influences both on individual and community quality of life of locals. It was confirmed by testing on different groups that the positive economic impacts of tourism is the variable explains the attitude towards tourism development the most. The attitude of locals towards tourism development affects the success and the direction of tourism development in the long term. In this respect, understanding of tourism and quality of life interaction is important. Planning the resources by considering locals' quality of life and approaching to tourism as an opportunity in order to enhance community quality of life should be taking into account in tourism policies.