A TALE OF TOURISM IN 2 CITIES

This study sought to extend past research on rural residents' percepti ons of community tourism development. Residents from two Arizona citie s, each at different levels of tourism development, were compared on t heir perceptions of tourism. After controlling for development, a hier archical model testing the relative contribution of variable sets rela ted to resident characteristics and social exchange theory in explaini ng perceptions was examined. Of special interest was a social exchange variable set representing balance of power. The linear relationship b etween significant predictors from the model and perceptions was then compared across samples. Results indicate that differences existed bet ween cities, and that balance of power measures were significant predi ctors of perceptions. Implications are discussed.