Community perceptions of tourism in Christchurch and Akaroa

Abstract

This study reports on community response to tourism in the urban centres of Christchurch and Akaroa (Canterbury, New Zealand). Specifically, it examines residents' perceptions, expectations and adaptations to tourism at the local level and thus represents a host community perspective on the phenomena of tourism in the Canterbury region. This report is the fourth of four case studies in New Zealand visitor destinations that are aimed at understanding the way in which host communities influence tourism and, conversely, the ways in which tourism influences them. The three previous community case studies undertaken as part of the wider research programme include Kaikoura (1998), Rotorua (2000) and Westland (2001). Taken together, the potential impact of visitors on host destinations and communities has seen growing attention given to the issue of sustainability in tourism development. Central to this notion of sustainability is the recognition that tourism has both positive and negative impacts on host destinations. Good management of this growing industry therefore requires us to understand how tourism development occurs at the local level, as well as how different communities adapt to that development. Increasing our understanding of these processes is vital to the sustainability of the industry, and is a crucial component of the strategies that local communities need to develop in order to reap the benefits that they seek from tourism.