Dual identity and ambivalent sentiment of border residents: Predicting border community support for tourism development

Abstract

Given the limited understanding of border communities in tourism literature, this research examines the sentiment of residents in Dandong, which demarcates the Sino-North Korean border, toward their neighboring country by employing a sequential mixed research design. In Study 1, in-depth interviews were conducted with 25 Dandong residents. Content analysis revealed that identification with the neighboring country, senses of relative gratification and relative deprivation were the three main components of border resident sentiment. Study 2 surveyed 600 Dandong residents using an online questionnaire, to test potential impacts of border resident sentiments proposed based on interview findings and existing literature. The structural equation modeling results demonstrated that sentiment had a stronger capability than attitude in predicting border community support for tourism development. This study contributes new knowledge to the field of border tourism and offers enlightening ideas for the advancement of social identity theory. Important policy and managerial implications are also discussed.