Attitude towards immigrants and security: Effects on destination-loyal tourists

Authors

• Joseph J. Simpson, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow
• Penny M. Simpson, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
• Oliver Cruz-Milán, West Virginia State University

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-1-2016

Abstract

This study was conducted in the midst of a surge of undocumented immigrants into a popular seasonal migrant destination in the U.S. and the subsequent state response of adding security forces. Factors examined include the effects of the role of media in shaping perceptions about security forces, perceptions about security force effectiveness, perceptions of undocumented immigrants and political orientation. The study of 413 respondents found that attitudes toward undocumented immigrants affect felt safety in the region, likelihood of recommending and returning to the region. Perceptions of the effectiveness of the security forces were important in affecting likelihood of recommending the region to others but not return intention. These and other findings contribute significantly to the scant research on both effectiveness of crises management responses and on effects of perceptions of undocumented immigrants on traveler behavior.

Comments

Not open access.

Recommended Citation

Simpson, J.J., Simpson, P.M. and Cruz-Milán, O., 2016. Attitude towards immigrants and security: Effects on destination-loyal tourists. Tourism Management, 57, pp.373-386. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2016.06.021

First Page

373

Last Page

386

Publication Title

Tourism Management

DOI

10.1016/j.tourman.2016.06.021