The aim of this research is to provide a conceptual framework to facilitate the standardization of the concept of “residents’ support” in tourism studies. The model is designed to prevent ambiguity and confusion that may arise in the use of the generic term “residents’ support.” Social Exchange Theory and the Theory of Reasoned Action will be incorporated for the purposes of contextualizing the term “residents’ support” with respect to three dimensions: attitudinal, intentional, or behavioral. A longitudinal analysis of the term “residents’ support” will be conducted on the basis of the proposed model. Fifty-four articles published between 2004 and the first quarter of 2020 have been studied to classify the items used to create the construct of “residents’ support” in tourism studies and to draw conclusions about the work of scholars and tourism agents.

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The altruistically shared information provided by residents is significant for travelers, affecting decisions they postpone until arrival at their destination. This study integrates altruism as a personal value with the basic postulates of social exchange theory and theory of reasoned action to explain the behavior of residents in terms of gratuitous referrals at destination (GRAD). A structural equation model is tested at a tourist destination on the coast of southwestern Spain. The results reveal that the factors influencing residents' attitude toward GRAD behavior (GRB) substantially differ from those that condition attitude toward tourism more generally. Furthermore, the altruistic values of residents indirectly condition their GRB.