Role of place identity and place image in the support of local people for tourism development: The case of Adıyaman

The support of the local people for tourism is one of the most studied issues in tourism literature. The support for tourism in ongoing studies is examined in the framework of the relationship between benefit and cost. When the recent years studies are examined, it is emphasized that this support cannot be explained only with the perceptions of local people about the positive and negative effects of tourism. Besides, the support of local people for tourism is examined with different variables. In this context, the aim of the study is to reveal the role of place identity and place image in the perception and support of the local people living in the city center of Adıyaman towards tourism development. In accordance with this purpose, a model has been developed within the framework of the related literature. In the study, data were obtained with the help of the survey technique and analyzes were performed through the 698 valid data. Firstly, descriptive and comparative statistical analyzes of the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants were made and the relationships between the variables were examined. Thereafter, structural equation modeling was performed to test the hypotheses of the research. As a result of the analysis, it was found that the identity of the place predicted the local people's perceptions about the positive effects of tourism and the place image predicted the perceptions of the negative effects of tourism. It has been observed that local people's perception of place identity and place image does not directly affect their support for tourism. The support of local people for tourism development is explained by the perceived positive and negative effects of tourism. The relationship between the sub-dimensions of the place identity and place image and the perception and support of the local people towards tourism was also examined. It was determined that continuity, self-esteem and self-efficacy which are subdimensions of place identity predicted the perceptions of the local people towards tourism. It is seen that only public facilities which are one of the subdimensions of place image predict the local people's perceptions and supports towards tourism. In addition, it was investigated whether the variances in the study differ in terms of socio-demographic characteristics of the local population. In accordance with the findings obtained, suggestions have been developed for the related literature and sector.