Resident rebellion: The interplay of fear, responsibility, animosity, and norms in shaping residents’ opposition towards tourism

Abstract

Although animosity has been well examined as a precursor of peoples' intention to visit a destination, its role in predicting locals' intentions to oppose tourism is under-researched. Emphasis has also been placed on stable rather than situational animosity, with the latter resulting from temporary reasons such as the pandemic. This research used protection motivation theory to explain how residents' fear of contracting COVID-19 and ascribing responsibility to tourists for spreading the virus determined their feelings of animosity towards visitors and their behavioral intentions to oppose tourism. Results based on 413 surveys with Fiji residents revealed that fear of COVID-19 positively affects ascribed responsibility, which impacts residents' animosity; the latter determining behavioral intent to oppose tourism. The magnitude of nearly all relationships was moderated by residents’ sense of personal obligation to protect their community. Implications to tourism theory and practice are provided.