Residents' Negative Perceptions Towards Tourism, Loyalty and Happiness: the Case of Fuengirola, Spain

sustainability Article Residents’ Negative Perceptions towards Tourism, Loyalty and Happiness: The Case of Fuengirola, Spain Eva María Sánchez-Teba 1 , María Dolores Benítez-Márquez 2,* and Teresa Romero-Navas 1 1 Department of Economics and Business Administration, Campus de El Ejido 6, University of Malaga, 29071 Malaga, Spain; [email protected] (E.M.S.-T.); [email protected] (T.R.-N.) 2 Department of Applied Economics (Statistics and Econometrics), Facultad de Comercio y Gestión, University of Malaga, Andalucía-Tech, Av. Francisco Trujillo Villanueva, 1, 29071 Málaga, Spain * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 16 September 2019; Accepted: 25 November 2019; Published: 2 December 2019 Abstract: Current studies suggest focusing on the study of residents’ negative perceptions towards tourism. This study estimates a confirmatory model of structural equations based on variance. The negative perceptions of residents living in Fuengirola (Spain), divided into three dimensions (negative economic impact, negative social impact, and negative environmental impact), according to social exchange theory, and, also the residents’ loyalty to their city are considered to be predictors of residents’ happiness. We have proposed a construct of residents’ loyalty to their tourism destination residence as a novelty, being composed of two indicators. The model has been computed based on partial least squares-structural equation modeling. The following hypotheses have been tested: (a) negative perceptions have positive effects on each other; (b) negative perceptions have a negative effect on happiness; and, (c) residents’ loyalty has a positive effect on happiness. The hypotheses were not rejected. Moreover, the loyalty of the residents has the highest direct positive impact, while the negative impacts have weak negative effects, direct and indirect, on the happiness of the residents. The result of the positive relationship between place loyalty and happiness referred by those persons who perceive their living place (neighborhood) as prestigious is consistent with our findings, which is, an increase of loyalty was found to be associated with an increase in happiness. Keywords: Tourism; residents’ perceptions; residents’ loyalty; place loyalty; happiness; Fuengirola; partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM); SmartPLS; social exchange theory (SET) 1. Introduction Tourism is a very important sector in the economy of many countries, regions, cities, or places. In relation to Spain, in 2018, the tourism and travel sector contributed EUR178 billion to the economy of Spain (EUR 1 in every EUR 7) with a share of 14.6% of the gross domestic product and 14.7% of all jobs. The Spanish tourism sector is split 55% vs. 45% in terms of international and domestic visitors [1]. In the first half of 2019, more than 38 million people visited Spain, according to the survey of Border Tourism Movements (known as FRONTUR); and, as of June, more than EUR 40,000 million were spent, according to the Survey of Tourist Expenditure (known as EGATUR). The National Statistics Institute (INE) in Spain publishes both of the surveys. According to the official estimates data of the Andalusian Tourism Situation Survey (Statistical and Mapping Institute of Andalusia), this region received 30.6 millions of tourists in 2018, comprised 49.6% of foreigners, with the remainder domestic tourists. The main motivations are holidays, which account for 83.8% and hotels accommodation, representing 63.2%. Ports and nautical activities along with Sustainability 2019, 11, 6841; doi:10.3390/su11236841 www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability Sustainability 2019, 11, 6841 2 of 19 Sustainability 2019, 11, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 19 account for 83.8% and hotels accommodation, representing 63.2%. Ports and nautical activities along landscapes and natural parks were the aspects best evaluated in Andalusia by tourists. The Province with landscapes and natural parks were the aspects best evaluated in Andalusia by tourists. The of Malaga (Andalusia, southern Spain, and southern Europe) accounts for 31.4% of the total number Province of Malaga (Andalusia, southern Spain, and southern Europe) accounts for 31.4% of the total of tourists received. This region is a consolidated international tourism destination. The provinces number of tourists received. This region is a consolidated international tourism destination. The Malaga and Cordoba are the best evaluated with a score of 8.6 from 10 [2]. In spite of the relevance of provinces Malaga and Cordoba are the best evaluated with a score of 8.6 from 10 [2]. In spite of the studyingrelevance the of Spanishstudying destination the Spanish of western destination Costa of del western Sol (Malaga), Costa duedel toSol the (Malaga), importance due of to tourism the in itsimportance economy, of it tourism might also in its be economy, worthwhile it might to analyze also be its worthwhile municipalities, to analyze such as its the municipalities, mass tourism such areas of Torremolinos,as the mass tourism Benalmadena, areas of Torremolinos, and Fuengirola, Bena amonglmadena, others. and We Fuengirola, have chosen among Fuengirola others. We (Figure have1 ) in thischosen study, Fuengirola a municipality (Figure belonging 1) in this tostudy, Malaga, a municipality with an area belonging of 3.86 squares to Malaga, miles with and an five area miles of of3.86 sandy beaches.squares miles As of and 2018, five this miles Mediterranean of sandy beaches. coastal As city of reached2018, this a populationMediterranean of 75,396 coastal inhabitants city reached [3 ].a It is locatedpopulation at 24.3 of km75,396 (15.53 inhabitants miles) from [3]. the It Internationalis located at Malaga24.3 km Airport (15.53 andmiles) 29.9 from km fromthe International the capital of the ProvinceMalaga Airport of Malaga, and which 29.9 km is, thefrom Malaga the capital municipality. of the Province Fuengirola of isMalaga, one of thewhich popular is, the destinations Malaga of themunicipality. Costa del Sol,Fuengirola in which is tourism one of the constitutes popular andestinations outstanding of componentthe Costa del of thisSol, townin which´s economy tourism [4,5]. constitutes an outstanding component of this town´s economy [4,5]. (a) (b) (c) (d) FigureFigure 1. Locations and and photo photo of of Fuengirola. Fuengirola. (a) ( aLocation) Location of ofSpain Spain within within Europe. Europe. (b) Location (b) Location of of CostaCosta del Sol Occidental (Mal (Malaga)aga) within within Andalusia. Andalusia. (c) (Locationc) Location of Fuengirola of Fuengirola within within Costa Costa del Sol del Sol Occidental.Occidental. ( (dd)) Photo Photo of of Fuengirola. Fuengirola. Source: (a): own creation based on [6]; (b): own creation based on [7]; (c): own creation based on [8]; and, (d): [9]. Source: (a): own creation based on [6]; (b): own creation based on [7]; (c): own creation based on [8]; and, (d): In addition to its economic benefits, the tourism[9]. industry also affects the host country’s society as wellIn asaddition its physical to its economic and cultural benefits, environment the tourism [10 industry]. The economic also affects aspect the host will country's not only society determine residents’as well as perceptionsits physical ofand tourism, cultural but environment also the social, [10]. cultural,The economic and environmental aspect will not components only determine that will aresidents’ffect the destinationperceptions receivingof tourism, the but tourism also the [ 11so,cial,12]. cultural, Additionally, and enviro a correlationnmental betweencomponents sustainable that urbanwill affect development the destination and residents’ receiving happiness the tourism has been[11,12]. identified Additionally, as being a acorrelation key component between for the sustainabilitysustainable urban of the development community [an13d]. residents’ The authors happiness [13] consider has been the residents’identified happinessas being asa key a factor thatcomponent allows for the creationsustainability of a sensationof the community of tourist [13]. hospitality The authors and, [13] in thisconsider way, the contribute residents’ to the sustainabilityhappiness as a of factor the city. that Otherallows studies for the creation conclude of that a sensation local residents of tourist are hospitality vital to tourism and, in development,this way, andcontribute they play to the a critical sustainability role in achieving of the city. sustainable Other studies tourism conclude [14–16 that]. Research local residents indicates are that vital residents’ to perceptionstourism development, of their local and tourism they play development a critical role can in haveachieving a significant sustainable effect tourism on their [14–16]. level Research of happiness andindicates quality that of residents' life [17,18 perceptions]. of their local tourism development can have a significant effect on theirStudies level ofof thehappiness local residents and quality of of host life countries[17,18]. outline the relevance of the host resident as a component of tourism development and its sustainability [14,19,20]. Thus, policy makers must consider the quality of life and the subjective well-being of the local residents [21]. Residents who are in favor Sustainability 2019, 11, 6841 3 of 19 of tourism development are hospitable to tourists, which determines a better experience for them and a greater chance of their return [22]. Therefore, it is essential that a destination actively pursues the well-being

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