Taste pursuing in rural residents' consumption: A comparative study of tourism impact in Dali, China

This paper proposes a new research agenda on resident consumption in tourism studies. Specifically, this paper breaks down the dual dichotomy of “rural-urban” and “destination-origin”, following the trend of shifting from production to consumption in rural studies focused on the Global South. This paper finds that rural residents pursue tastes that mismatch their relatively low status, reconceptualising destinations and residents. Furthermore, by bringing in the sociology of consumption, this paper unravels the intersection of tourism, social differentiation and consumption culture. Our qualitative study addresses these arguments by comparing three villages with the same socioeconomic conditions and different degrees of tourism development in Dali, China. • Residents' consumption is a potential area in tourism impact research. • Rural destination residents pursue tastes that mismatch their relatively low status. • Tourism development generates the consumption demonstration effect through host-guest interactions. • The intersection of tourism, social differentiation and consumption culture was unravelled. • A comparative study of three villages refines the methodology of tourism impact research.