Abstract
Amid the need for inclusive growth and well-being in sustainable tourism, residents' social sustainability needs must be understood. Based on self-perception and social exchange theories, this study examines residents' perceptions of the social sustainability of food festival events. Focusing on an East-West culinary fusion festival in Macau, the Macau Food Festival, 460 residents are surveyed to ascertain their perceptions of the social sustainability attributes, social sustainability impacts, and quality of life outcomes. Results of six direct and two moderation relationships revealed residents' perceptions of social sustainability attributes of the food festival event are a major predictor of the perceived impacts on the community and resident quality of life. A higher perceived quality of life was found to positively impact place attachment, support for tourism, and prosocial behaviors. The degree to which social sustainability attributes of the food festival impact residents' quality of life, though different, is positive for attendees and non-attendees implying that positive perceptions could be inferred through both introspection and extrospection. It, further, suggests the need for destination management organizations to understand residents' social sustainability needs of the food tourism events to introduce attributes that augment residents' quality of life and positive responses to tourism development.
•Residents' social sustainability needs are integral to food tourism event support.•Social sustainability attributes are key antecedents of quality of life.•Positive perceived quality of life triggers positive exchange outcomes.•Different levels of positive self-perception attitudes are observed.•Positive perceptions could be inferred both internally and externally.