Demographic characteristics and residents' attitude towards tourism development: A case of Kashmir region

• Published date: 01 May 2021
• Author: Aasif Ali Bhat,Ram Kumar Mishra
• Date: 01 May 2021
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1002/pa.2179

ACADEMIC PAPER

Demographic characteristics and residents' attitude towards

tourism development: A case of Kashmir region

Aasif Ali Bhat

1,2

| Ram Kumar Mishra

2

1

Department of Economics, Shri Mata Vaishno

Devi University, Katra, India

2

Institute of Public Enterprise, Hyderabad,

India

Correspondence

Aasif Ali Bhat, Department of Economics, Shri

Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra, Jammu

and Kashmir 182320, India.

Email: aasifmuzafar@gmail.com

This study investigates the attitudes oflocal residents' of the Kashmir region towards

tourism development according to their demographic characteristics. A broader set

of demographic variables has been used througha well-structured questionnaire. The

questionnaire received 650 valid responses from the households through a conve-

nient sampling method. The robust analysis of responses by the respondents reveals

that resident's attitudes could be beneficial for the development of tourismin any

tourism potential region. Discussion: The study put forward some interesting results

which are pivotal for the development of tourism in a region. The study shows that

demographic characteristics of residents affectsignificantly on their perceptions

regarding the economic, social and environmental effects of tourism in the Kashmir

region.

1|INTRODUCTION

Tourism sector is one of the world's largest economic sector, which

creates employment opportunities and contribution to GDP across

the world. As revealed by The World Travel & Tourism Council, the

contribution of the tourism sector to the world economy in 2018 has

reached 10.4% of GDP and 10% of total employment. Therefore,

tourism sector is extensively considered as a tool of economic devel-

opment for tourism-dependent economies. The development of tour-

ism sector is not merely an employment source, but also been found

to rejuvenate local economies (Liang & Hui, 2016; Saarinen &

Rogerson, 2014; Sharpley & Telfer, 2015), increases land value

(Crompton, 2004), attract foreign investment (Liu, Sheldon, & Var,

1987; Sheng & Tsui, 2010), increases business opportunity (Prentice,

1993), infrastructure development of community (Mathieson & Wall,

1982). On the other hand, its development can also impact adversely

to the local community such as increased prices, crime, congestion

and so on. (Choi & Murray, 2010; Liu et al., 1987; Liu & Var, 1986;

McGehee & Andereck, 2004). Local residents who are living in a tour-

ist destination, are directly or indirectly involved in activities related

to tourism (Akkawi, 2010) and have perceived positive as well as neg-

ative impacts of tourism (Almeida-García, Peláez-Fernández,

Balbuena-Vazquez, & Cortes-Macias, 2016; Ko & Stewart, 2002;

Lankford & Howard, 1994). Impacts of tourism on residents can

broadly be classified as economic impacts (Akis, Peristianis, & Warner,

1996; Getz, 1986; Liu et al., 1987), social impacts (Ap, 1992; Belisle &

Hoy, 1980; Brunt & Courtney, 1999) and environmental impacts

(Butler, 1980; Hillery, Nancarrow, Griffin, & Syme, 2001; Liu et al.,

1987; Liu & Var, 1986).

Local residents' perceptions of tourism development, is also

influenced by their demographic characteristics (McGehee &

Andereck, 2004; Sharma & Gursoy, 2015; Xu, Barbieri, Anderson,

Leung, & Rozier-Rich, 2016) such as age, education level, marital sta-

tus, employment status, length of residence (Andriotis & Vaughan,

2003; Chen, 2000; Deery, Jago, & Fredline, 2012; Haralambopoulos &

Pizam, 1996; Jones, Jurowski, & Uysal, 2000; Lankford & Howard,

1994; Pham & Kayat, 2011; Sharma & Gursoy, 2015; Teye, Sirakaya, &

Sönmez, 2002; Xu et al., 2016). From the existing studies, most of the

researchers have analysed only tourism impacts which comprise eco-

nomic, social and environmental impacts. As far as our knowledge is

concerned, there is a need to fill the research gap of examining the

relationship between demographic characteristics of local residents

and the costs–benefits of tourism development. The examination of

demographic characteristics has to go beyond descriptive analysis. It

is also necessary to mention that no research has done on local resi-

dents of the Kashmir region regarding tourism impacts and their

demographic characteristics. The Kashmir valley has many interna-

tionally admired tourist destinations for national as well as interna-

tional tourist visitors. The economy of Kashmir residents is

dominantly based on tourism industry. The sector is one of the major

Received: 18 March 2020 Revised: 15 April 2020 Accepted: 5 May 2020

DOI: 10.1002/pa.2179

J Public Affairs. 2021;21:e2179. wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/pa © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 1of13

https://doi.org/10.1002/pa.2179