Influence of place-based senses of distinctiveness, continuity, self-esteem and self-efficacy on residents' attitudes toward tourism

• Place identity proved to be an effective tool in measuring resident attitudes.
• Place-based self-esteem influences resident attitudes toward tourism development.
• Place-based self-efficacy influences resident attitudes toward tourism development.
• Place identity theory and social exchange theory can be applied complementarily.

This study examined the influence of the four place identity principles (i.e., senses of distinctiveness, continuity, self-esteem and self-efficacy) (Breakwell, 1986) on residents' attitudes toward tourism. A self-administered survey was conducted on urban residents in a southern province of China, and the place-based senses of distinctiveness, self-esteem and self-efficacy were found to affect residents' perceptions of tourism impacts and attitudes toward support for tourism. While tourism literature has suggested social exchange theory to be a useful tool in predicting residents' perceptions and attitudes toward tourism, this study suggests a new perspective in evaluating resident perceptions and attitudes by applying place identity theory as a theoretical foundation instead. Both the theoretical and marketing implications are discussed.