Analyzing Resident Place Satisfaction in a Tourist Destination through Auto-Photography : The Case of Southern Shores, North Carolina

Abstract

Resident place satisfaction in tourist destinations lies at the heart of the movement toward more socially sustainable development. Addressing the place-based views and concerns of residents is necessary for maintaining public support for tourism. This project analyzes place satisfaction among full-time residents living in Southern Shores, North Carolina. The qualitative methods of auto-photography and photo-elicitation interview are used with thirteen residents of varying lengths of residence in the Outer Banks community. Participants were supplied with disposable cameras and asked to photograph what they like and dislike about Southern Shores. In reacting to their photographs, participants communicated views, feelings, and a sense of place that allowed researchers to identify positive and negative aspects of the community and tourism development. For some participating residents, the very act of photographing Southern Shores and choosing what to represent visually made them more cognizant of place satisfaction, thus pointing to the method's potential as a public education and extension tool.