How Does Destination Social Responsibility Impact Residents’ Pro-Tourism Behaviors? The Mediating Role of Place Attachment

Abstract

There has been little research on how destination social responsibility impacts the pro-tourism behaviors of residents. Drawing from place attachment theory and sustainable tourism literature, this study proposes that place attachment mediates the link between destination social responsibility and pro-tourism behaviors. The results from a field survey of local residents around three scenic spots in the Xuefeng mountain area in China reveal that destination social responsibility exerts a significantly positive impact on pro-tourism behaviors of residents, and confirm a mediating effect of place attachment (i.e., place identity and place dependence) in the linkage of destination social responsibility and pro-tourism behaviors. This research provides theoretical and managerial contributions to sustainable tourism literature and advances the understanding of the antecedents of residents’ pro-tourism behaviors.