Examining residents’ support for night tourism: An application of the social exchange theory and emotional solidarity

Due to the rapid growth of the economy and the rise in consumer demand, the Chinese government has underlined the significance of night-time consumption. However, little attention has been devoted to the impact of a series of changes brought about by night tourism development on people's lives, which is worth investigating. The study blends social exchange theory and emotional solidarity to determine the factors influencing residents' support for night tourism development. Kaifeng, a city with a rich cultural history in China, provided 532 surveys. By examining the relationships between residents' quality of life, emotional solidarity, residents' attitude, and behavioral support, the findings revealed that residents' support for night tourism development were predicted by social exchange theory and emotional solidarity. Moreover, the mediation role of resident's emotional solidarity with tourists and their attitudes toward night tourism has been partly supported. The article concluded with a discussion of the consequences for research and management. •The study explored resident supportive behavior for night tourism with SET and ES.•Residents' perceived quality of life partially influenced emotional solidarity.•The mediating role of residents' emotional solidarity was partly supported.•Emotional solidarity firmly explains resident attitude and support.