Residents' perception and attitudes towards tourism impacts : A case study of the small rural community of Folgaria (Trentino – Italy)

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to analyse how the impacts of tourism are perceived by a local population and which factors affect the relationship between impacts and perceptions' formation, with specific consideration of the framework in a mountain resort. For this purpose, the paper explores the existing literature on issues related to host perceptions and attitudes and involves a primary data collection in the mountain community of Folgaria in Northern Italy. Design/methodology/approach – The number and quality of the questionnaires collected allowed a quantitative analysis of the hosts' perceptions and attitudes to be performed, and a cluster analysis has demonstrated the existence of different groups within which members have common features and similar perceptions and attitudes. Findings – In general, this research work has revealed a recognition by the residents of the positive economic impacts of tourism. Also, the social and cultural impacts are recognized to be positive, but at a lower degree. In terms of the future tourism polices, the different groups identified in the cluster analysis exert different positions. Originality/value – The paper presents the first study of residents' perceptions and attitudes applied to a small mountain community.