2022 Resident Sentiment Study
At a glance
- Longwoods International surveyed American and Canadian residents on tourism's role in their communities post-pandemic.
- Study explores how residents now perceive the travel and tourism industry's importance and place in society.
- Research conducted during transition from pandemic to post-pandemic landscape in North America.
- Addresses evolving community sentiment toward destination marketing and tourism development.
- Benchmark study by Destinations International on resident attitudes toward tourism industry.
What the report covers
This study by Longwoods International for Destinations International measured resident sentiment toward tourism across the United States and Canada. Conducted in 2022 during the post-pandemic transition, the research examines how residents in North American communities view the travel and tourism industry's role and significance. The study responds to heightened public awareness of tourism following the pandemic and seeks to inform destination marketing organisations' community engagement strategies.
Key findings
The study surveyed residents across the US and Canada to assess their perceptions of tourism's value and place within their communities. According to the research, the pandemic appears to have elevated public awareness and discussion of the travel industry's broader significance. Destinations International commissioned this work to understand shifting resident attitudes as the sector recovers and communities reassess tourism's role in economic and social life.
The research captures a moment of evolving sentiment during the transition from pandemic restrictions to normalised travel patterns. Resident perspectives documented in this 2022 study reflect changing expectations about how tourism operates and contributes to community wellbeing. These insights help destination marketing organisations calibrate community engagement and destination development strategies for the post-pandemic era.
Longwoods International's methodology involved surveying both American and Canadian populations to gather comparable data across two major North American markets. The timing of the study—2022—positions it as an early benchmark for post-pandemic resident sentiment. Findings provide baseline data for tracking longer-term shifts in how communities perceive and accept tourism development.
Why it matters
DMOs & destinations
Resident sentiment directly influences community support for tourism development and destination marketing initiatives. Understanding how North American residents perceive tourism's value—especially post-pandemic—helps DMOs build sustainable strategies and community partnerships. This benchmark study informs long-term communication and stakeholder engagement approaches.
Hotels & hospitality
Local community support affects operational environment, labour availability, and business sustainability for hotels and tourism operators. Tracking resident sentiment helps hospitality businesses anticipate regulatory changes and adapt community relations strategies. Post-pandemic shifts in perception may influence local zoning, staffing, and expansion opportunities.
Travel tech & distribution
Understanding destination-level resident sentiment reveals market opportunities and risks for distribution platforms and travel technology providers. Community acceptance of tourism influences destination competitiveness and booking platform visibility. Sentiment data helps tech companies align products with evolving destination dynamics and community priorities.
Methodology and limits
This brief is based on the publicly available summary only; the full report source text could not be retrieved. Longwoods International conducted surveys of American and Canadian residents in 2022 during the post-pandemic transition period. The study measured resident perceptions and sentiment toward the travel and tourism industry's role in communities. Specific sample size, sampling methodology, and detailed statistical findings are not available in the accessible metadata.
The source document could not be retrieved when this brief was written: it is based on the report's public metadata and abstract only. Check the official source for the full findings.
Official source
The report is © Destinations International. This brief is an original editorial summary by TourismIntel — it quotes only figures published in the source and never reproduces the document.
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