When and How Tourists Engage in Citizenship Behavior: The Interactive Effect of Trait Gratitude and Positive Resident–Tourist Contact

Tourists with higher trait gratitude are more likely to engage in citizenship behavior (TCB) at UNESCO World Heritage Site Mount Wuyi, but this effect is significantly strengthened when they experience positive interactions with local residents. The study reveals that perceived insider status—feeling accepted or valued by locals—mediates this relationship, acting as a bridge between gratitude and TCB. Using structural equation modeling on data from 497 tourists, researchers demonstrated that positive resident-tourist contact not only amplifies the impact of gratitude but also enhances its role in shaping perceived insider status, which in turn drives TCB. This finding underscores the importance of fostering positive social interactions to encourage responsible tourism behavior.

Tu, H., Zhang, Z., & Jiang, Z. (2022). When and How Tourists Engage in Citizenship Behavior: The Interactive Effect of Trait Gratitude and Positive Resident–Tourist Contact. Journal of Travel Research, 62(8), 1832–1847. https://doi.org/10.1177/00472875221140904