Background: Tourism development significantly influences host communities, shaping their social, economic, cultural, and environmental landscapes. Understanding residents’ perceptions is crucial for sustainable tourism planning, particularly in destinations experiencing rapid growth.

Objective: This study investigates residents’ perceptions of tourism development in three destinations—Cox’s Bazar (Bangladesh), Bali (Indonesia), and Barcelona (Spain)—to identify perceived benefits, costs, and determinants of support.

Methods: A mixed-methods research design was used, involving 450 resident surveys (150 per site), 30 semi-structured interviews, and field observations. The Social Exchange Theory (SET) framework guided analysis of perceived benefits and costs. Statistical tools such as chi-square tests and factor analysis were employed.

Results: Residents perceived tourism positively in terms of employment opportunities, improved infrastructure, and cultural exchange. However, negative perceptions included overcrowding, inflation, cultural disruption, and environmental degradation. Cox’s Bazar residents showed the highest support for continued tourism growth, while Barcelona residents expressed concerns due to overtourism. Perceived benefits strongly correlated with tourism support (r = 0.72), while perceived costs correlated negatively (r = –0.61).

Conclusion: Residents’ perceptions are shaped by the balance between benefits and costs. Sustainable tourism planning must integrate community concerns through participatory governance, equitable benefit-sharing, and environmental safeguards.