Relationships Among Resident Participation In Nature And Heritage Tourism Activities, Place Attachment, And Sustainability In Three Hudson River Valley Communities

Many rural coastal communities face challenges in retaining stable local economies and have come to depend on tourism as the basis for economic viability. Local residents often see nature-based recreational opportunities and the local character marketed to tourists as attributes that support attractive and livable communities. This research investigates the relationships among resident engagement with local, nature-based and heritage resources, length of residency, place attachment, and support for local tourism in three Hudson River Valley, New York communities. Based on the findings of this research, the following five points are posited about sustainability generally and specific to the studies communities. (1) Place identity is a more effective longitudinal indicator of sustainability than place dependence. (2) Place attachment did predict tourism support. (3) The cultural activities factor was the only individual, statistically significant activity predictor of place attachment. (4) Cold Spring Village residents may perceive the current level of tourism to be sufficient. Specifically, there may be a tourism development saturation point that is being reached. And finally, (5) tangible amenities were not a prominent concern for residents recommending the communities to potential visitors.