A matrix model for resident attitudes and behaviours in a rapidly changing tourist area

This paper focuses upon the linkages between local resident perceptions of the impacts of a mega attraction, the Foxwoods casino and attitudes toward this casino; toward the tribe (the developers); and toward the casino as an economic development tool; as well as linkages with specific types of resident behaviours. Using data collected from 203 resident telephone interviews, these linkages are explored. Perceptions of casino impacts were found to influence attitudes toward the casino and toward the tribe. A matrix model which has been well referenced in the tourism literature but never before tested, was modified and used to analyse the linkage between attitudes and behaviours. A composite measure of attitude toward the casino was developed and this scale performed well on reliability and validity tests. A simplified version of this scale was applied to the attitudinal axis of the model. The behavioural dimension of the model was created using an index of positive, neutral and negative behaviours. Statistically significant results were achieved for attitudes toward the casino and specific behaviours and for attitudes toward the tribe and these behaviours. However, attitudes toward casinos as an economic development tool showed less significant results. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.