The Life Satisfaction of Insiders and Outsiders: Exploring Residents' and Tourists' (Dis)satisfaction in the Korean Demilitarised Zone Border Area

Abstract

Satisfaction with one's place of residence significantly impacts satisfaction with life, and tourists' visit satisfaction also enhances individuals' well-being. This study explores the impact of residential and visit satisfaction on overall life satisfaction in a rural border area near the Korean Demilitarised Zone, currently facing population decline. Through an analysis of 16 area-specific attributes, the research underscores the pivotal role of social factors and landscapes in shaping satisfaction for both residents and tourists. Social interaction was found to be the crucial factor, emphasising the paramount importance of resident interactions in these seemingly isolated rural border areas. Particularly noteworthy is the profound impact of residents' emotional solidarity on tourists' visit satisfaction, a phenomenon intricately linked to the active involvement of the local community in managing tourist attractions. Additionally, for residents, satisfaction with various residential attributes is more likely to affect diverse aspects of life, underscoring the multifaceted influence of residential satisfaction. In contrast, tourists' attributes satisfaction of visited area indirectly affects their life satisfaction through overall visit satisfaction. This integrated approach, encompassing both residents' subjective judgements and tourists' objective evaluations, proves invaluable in declining population areas where tourism plays a pivotal role in regional revitalisation.