Residents’ Perceived Benefits of Host-Guest Interaction: Scale Development and Validation

Abstract

The amiability of residents is an essential element of destination competitiveness. Pleasant host-guest interactions (HGIs) can create a memorable experience for tourists. Limited attention has been paid to the benefits of HGIs from the residents’ perspective. This research aims to construct a scale that measures this. Based on an extensive literature review, 52 in-depth interviews, and two surveys with residents in tourist cities, a residents’ perceived benefits scale (RPBS) is established and validated. The scale has five dimensions: emotional lift, local pride, altruism, destination attraction, and self-development. A positive link between residents’ perceived benefits and interaction intention with tourists was confirmed. The RPBS offers multidimensional insight into residents’ evaluation of HGI and serves as an instrument to predict residents’ attitudes toward tourism and support for the tourism industry. It provides a framework for practitioners to design strategies to encourage host-guest communication to enhance visitors’ experience and destination competitiveness.