A hybrid-fuzzy segmentation analysis of residents’ perception towards tourism in Gran Canaria

Tourist destinations have evolved throughout the world because governments invest on developing a tourist sector. The ultimate goal is to improve the quality of life of the local residents. For this reason, the impacts of tourism, both positive and negative, need to be measured from the local residents’ perspective. This study segments local residents according to their perception on tourism. A hybrid fuzzy segmentation method was applied to a sample of 504 local residents in Gran Canaria. Three representative profiles are obtained for two scenarios: (1) extreme tourist lovers, extreme tourist haters and ambivalents and (2) lovers, haters and ambivalents. Contributions to the body of knowledge and policy implications are discussed. A future research agenda is given.