ABSTRACT
This chapter offers findings from a study aimed at better understand Cape Verde residents’ attitudes towards tourism development. What is also provided is an integrated theoretical model addressing the issue of resident’s attitude towards tourism development in small island developing states (SIDS). To test the model, a survey was administered to residents of two Cape Verde islands. Regression analysis was used to test the hypothesised relationships among model constructs. Results demonstrate that both positive and negative attitudes towards tourism influence residents’ support for tourism development, as well as their trust in tourism institutions. Also, residents perceived personal economic benefits from tourism and the state of the local economy influence positive and negative attitudes about tourism, trust in tourism institutions and support for tourism development. The study advances a theoretical understanding of residents’ attitudes and support for tourism development behaviour in SIDS. Also, this study offers a significant contribution to destination management organisations and policymakers, along with studies limitations and directions for future research.
