De-globalization and resident perceptions of tourism policy acceptance: a comparative analysis of South Korea and Japan

This study examines how perceived de-globalization (PD) shapes residents’ foreign visitor-friendly policy acceptance (FPA) in South Korea and Japan. Drawing on social exchange theory, the perceived benefits (PB) and perceived costs (PC) of tourism were examined as mediators. By contrast, collaborative governance trust (CGT) served as a moderator, buffering the negative impacts of PD. Two control variables – cultural openness and foreign tourist contact experience – were included to account for residents’ predispositions. Structural equation modelling and multi-group analyses were conducted using survey data from 626 respondents (314 South Koreans and 312 Japanese). The results showed that PD had no direct impact on FPA but reduced PB and increased PC, indirectly lowering policy acceptance. Residents with low CGT demonstrated strong negative shifts in cost – benefit perceptions due to PD, whereas those with high CGT mitigated these negative effects. Compared with Japanese respondents, South Koreans demonstrated lower baseline PD but were more sensitive to its impacts, leading to stronger indirect effects on FPA. This study underscores how macro-level scepticism towards globalization shapes local tourism support through cost – benefit pathways, suggesting the need for policymakers to enhance collaborative governance to sustain community acceptance amid growing anti-globalization sentiments.