The Role of Place Attachment in Developing Emotional Solidarity With Residents

Visitors' emotional attachment to the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Nigeria, significantly influences their perceived solidarity with local residents. The study found that place identity and place dependence—two dimensions of place attachment—explained 45% to 54% of the variance in visitors' feelings of emotional closeness, sympathetic understanding, and being welcomed by residents. This suggests that deepening visitors' connection to a site can foster stronger social bonds with communities, offering implications for sustainable tourism practices.

Woosnam, K. M., Aleshinloye, K. D., Strzelecka, M., & Erul, E. (2016). The Role of Place Attachment in Developing Emotional Solidarity With Residents. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research, 42(7), 1058–1066. https://doi.org/10.1177/1096348016671396