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Understanding Residents’ Perceptions of Tourism in Major Spanish Cities

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  • Marta Marco-Gardoqui

    (Department of Management, Deusto Business School, University of Deusto, 48007 Bilbao, Spain)

  • María García-Feijoo

    (Department of Management, Deusto Business School, University of Deusto, 48007 Bilbao, Spain)

  • Almudena Eizaguirre

    (Department of Management, Deusto Business School, University of Deusto, 48007 Bilbao, Spain)

  • Jon Paul Laka Mugarza

    (Department of Management, Deusto Business School, University of Deusto, 48007 Bilbao, Spain)

Abstract

This study validates the Sustainable Tourism Attitude Scale (SUS-TAS) in four major Spanish cities—Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, and Seville—assessing residents’ perceptions of tourism sustainability. A quantitative approach was used, with data collected from 660 residents via an online survey. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) with Varimax rotation confirmed a seven-factor structure, and ANOVA tests revealed significant perceptual differences across cities. Results show that residents in Barcelona report the highest perceived social costs, while Bilbao shows greater support for long-term planning, reflecting varying levels of tourism maturity. The study confirms that sociodemographic variables—especially sex and education—shape sustainability attitudes, while age has no significant effect. Findings support the need for context-sensitive policies that integrate resident voices into sustainable tourism planning. This research fills a gap by validating SUS-TAS in mature European destinations, offering a reliable tool for urban tourism governance.

Suggested Citation

  • Marta Marco-Gardoqui & María García-Feijoo & Almudena Eizaguirre & Jon Paul Laka Mugarza, 2025. "Understanding Residents’ Perceptions of Tourism in Major Spanish Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-18, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:22:p:10314-:d:1797350
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