Navigating the New Normal: The Role of Residents’ Involvement and Support in Sustainable Tourism Recovery

Abstract

This study seeks to provide a nuanced understanding of how residents’ views on tourism impacts and their awareness of the pandemic’s effects shape their attitudes and, consequently, influence their involvement and support for tourism by integrating emotional solidarity, the knowledge–attitude–practices theory, and social exchange theory. Furthermore, the study explores potential moderating factors such as gender and professional ties to tourism. Data were gathered from 545 residents of Manavgat, Turkey, following a cluster sampling scheme, confirming all ten hypotheses. The results reveal that residents’ knowledge and perceived positive impacts of tourism significantly forecast attitudes toward tourism and tourists, which explains their involvement and support. The results also demonstrate that residents with strong ties to tourism were more positive and involved than those with limited links to tourism. The complementary merger of theoretical frameworks enriches our understanding of residents’ support and involvement in tourism, shedding light on the intricacies of these relationships.