Tourism Impact Attitude Scale

What it measures

Measures resident attitudes toward tourism development across two dimensions: perceived personal and community benefits (economic growth, tax revenue, recreational facilities, cultural exchange), and concerns for community stability (crowding, environmental degradation, crime, rising costs, cultural erosion, loss of local character). One of the first rigorously validated tourism impact attitude instruments, foundational to subsequent resident attitudes research. Widely used alongside Social Exchange Theory to explain how residents' cost–benefit assessments drive support for or opposition to tourism development. The scale has been applied across rural, coastal, island, and urban destination contexts.

Response format

Likert (1–6, strongly disagree to strongly agree)

Scale items

Support for Tourism Development (Likert 1–5, strongly disagree to strongly agree)

• Tourism is important for the economic development of this area.
• I support the development of tourism in this area.
• Tourism provides employment opportunities for local residents.
• Tourism brings money into the local economy.
• Tourism development should be encouraged in this area.
• Tourism helps fund public services and infrastructure.
• I am proud of tourism attractions in my area.
• Tourism helps maintain the natural and cultural heritage of this area.
• Tourism development improves the quality of life for local residents.
• The benefits of tourism outweigh the costs.
• Tourism provides recreational opportunities for local residents.
• Tourism creates a good image for this area.
• New tourism facilities should be welcomed.
• Tourism expansion should be actively encouraged.

Concerns About Tourism Impacts

• Tourism causes too much noise and congestion.
• Tourism increases the cost of living for local residents.
• Tourism brings too many undesirable people to this area.
• Tourism causes environmental damage.
• Tourism threatens the traditional culture and way of life.
• Tourism has led to higher crime rates.
• Tourism takes away the sense of community.
• Tourism causes too much development and overdevelopment.
• Local residents have lost control of their community due to tourism.
• Tourism has made it harder to find parking and move around.
• Tourism results in too much litter and waste.
• Tourism has made housing more expensive.
• Tourism commercialises activities that should be free.

Full scale items shown. Always cite the original source when using this scale in research.

Usage notes & scoring

Two subscale scores. The Benefits dimension typically shows higher endorsement than the Concerns dimension in early-stage destinations; this reverses in mature or overtouristed destinations. Concerns are strongest among longer-term residents and those in high-density tourism zones. Social Exchange Theory predicts support for tourism when perceived benefits outweigh perceived costs — the TIAS operationalises this trade-off directly.

Recommended companion scales

Citation

Lankford, S.V., & Howard, D.R. (1994). Developing a tourism impact attitude scale. Annals of Tourism Research, 21(1), 121–139.

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