The Perceptions of Tourism Employees and their Families Towards Tourism: A Cross Cultural Comparison

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the perceptions of tourism industry employees and their families in a developing country with their equivalents in a developed country. Two localities were selected exemplifying these characteristics, namely Nadi, Fiji and Central Florida, USA. A sample of 41 respondents who benefited directly from the tourism industry was extricated from a previous study conducted in Central Florida, USA and compared with a sample of 134 equivalent respondents in another study conducted in Nadi, Fiji. The results of the comparison indicated that despite the physical, cultural and economic dissimilarity between the two communities the attitude of respondents towards the tourism industry and their perceptions of the impact of tourism were remarkably similar. Both groups were highly supportive of their respective tourism industries in general terms, though Fiji expressed stronger support than Central Floridians. The impact of tourism on the community was perceived as positive from an economic point of view by both groups, but as negative in its impact on legal and environmental issues. The socio-cultural impacts of tourism were perceived as being mixed; some registered as negative whilst others were perceived as being neutral. Respondents from Fiji perceived the economic benefits to be more positive than their Central Florida counterparts.

Publication Date

1-1-1994

Original Citation

Abraham Pizam, Ady Milman, Brian King, “The Perceptions of Tourism Employees and their Families Towards Tourism: A Cross Cultural Comparison,” Tourism Management, Vol. 15, No 1 (1994), pp. 53-61.

Number of Pages

53-61

Document Type

Paper

Language

English

Source Title

Tourism Management

Volume

15

Issue

1

College

Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Location

Rosen College of Hospitality Management

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