Local Community and Tourism Development: A Study of Rural Mountainous Destinations

Malaysia is internationally regarded as a popular rural destination because of its natural heritage. Rural tourism is increasingly viewed as a panacea for increasing the economic viability of marginalized areas, stimulating social regeneration, and improving the living conditions of rural communities. This study explores local community involvement in a rural tourism development in Kinabalu National Park, Sabah. We explore how the local community perceives their involvement in a local rural tourism development and look to identify the benefit of tourism destination development for this community. To address these objectives, we employed quantitative research methodologies and a sample of 378 respondents drawn from villages surrounding Kinabalu National Park. Sampled residents indicated having positive perceptions of tourism development in the area. Local communities enjoy being involved in the tourism sector because it improves their key income resources and quality of life

Perceived Social Effects of Tourism Development: A Case Study of Kinabalu National Park

We investigate the perceived social effects of tourism development on local communities from the perspective of local residents in selected locations near Kinabalu National Park. Local residents (n=378) were surveyed using a questionnaire and the collected data subjected to a series of descriptive analysis methods. Most respondents indicated that tourism, aside from being a stimulus for various cultural activities, had significantly increased their and other local people‟s pride in their national and local culture. Additionally, respondents indicated that community facilities had been improved as a result of tourism, and that their quality of life had also significantly improved. Paradoxically, the results indicated several negative effects, such as congestion and the exposure of anti-social behavior to the local community. However, the findings revealed that most local residents believed that the positive effects of tourism outweighed the negative. Obstacles to the sustainable Management of tourism in Kinabalu National Park must be overcome through the combined efforts of key stakeholders involved in tourism, including government and local authorities. The participation of the local community is an essential part of this bridging process because their involvement helps to protect and conserve the area as a tourist attraction. Moreover, participation can also help overcome negative social effects. Keywords: Positive perceived social effects, negative perceived social effect, tourism development, residents‟ perceptions, local community, sustainable tourism

What Influences Visitor Mindfulness at World Heritage Sites?

Mindfulness refers to a state of mind in which a person selectively and actively processes information gathered from their surrounding environment. This concept may be helpful for enhancing visitor learning at heritage sites. However, there is a paucity of literature exploring the concept of mindfulness in tourism. This study investigates the influence of both setting and visitor factors on the state of mindfulness of visitors to selected heritage sites at the Malacca World Heritage Site (WHS), Malaysia. We demonstrate that various factors correlate with visitor mindfulness, namely variety, personal connection, and the interactivity of communication media. Conversely, other visitor characteristics do not influence mindfulness directly, namely age, gender, education, nationality, and frequency of visitation. However, these features do affect the setting factors. This study contributes to the mindfulness literature regarding the importance of setting and visitor factors in a WHS and recommends that mindfulness be considered as part of an overall approach toward more sustainable heritage tourism

The influence of community factors on the engagement of residents in place promotion: Empirical evidence from an Italian heritage site

The engagement of community residents in place promotion is increasingly recognized as desirable for ensuring effective and reliable communication with tourists. The study investigated the effects of community factors on residents' engagement in the promotion of an Italian heritage site. Community commitment, environmental attitudes, and perceptions of the effectiveness of existing place marketing communications were found to be decisive in influencing residents' engagement in the promotion of the Amalfi Coast. The paper helps to shed light on collaboration in place promotion, thus enriching the debate on the ambassadorship role of residents and suggesting useful insights for policy makers/destination management organization

Community Participation toward Tourism Development and Conservation Program in Rural World Heritage Sites

Community participation in tourism development and World Heritage Site (WHS) conservation management is essential for the sustainable development of WHS destinations. Local communities play a significant role in reviving and sustaining WHSs. Community participation ranges from involvement in the decision-making processes at the highest level down to economic involvement and the promotion of the destination at the lowest level. What shape community participation ultimately takes depends on the circumstance of destinations. This study attempts to review the current community participation literature with respect to rural WHS destinations, synthesising the current literature by way of a systematic review. The findings reveal a preference among rural WHS residents for economic involvement and destination promotion rather than participation in the decision-making process. The findings of this study expand upon the community participation literature, clarifying the concept in the context of rural WHS destinations. In addition, the results have practical implications for local authorities responsible for the sustainable conservation management and tourism development of rural WHS—that these seemingly competing objectives are best achieved by involving local residents in economic activities and increasing their benefits from tourism

Necessary Configuration Analysis (NConfA): A new multivariate approach

This paper introduces a new analytical method, Necessary Configuration Analysis (NConfA), which advances asymmetrical analysis by determining the necessity of configurations–combinations of factors–rather than focusing on individual conditions. While existing methods such as fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) and Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA) assess the necessity of single conditions or factors, NConfA provides deeper insights into multivariate relationships. It identifies necessary configurations crucial for achieving desired outcomes in complex social phenomena. This paper includes a step-by-step guide and an illustrative example of this technique, offering opportunities for reanalysing prior studies and expanding applications to fields such as service research and consumer behaviour. NConfA equips decision–makers to identify the necessary combinations of factors for resource-efficient outcomes

How COVID-19 case fatality rates have shaped perceptions and travel intention?

AbstractThis study investigates the perceptions shaped by media towards trust, crisis management, healthcare system, and solidarity, as well as willingness to support and travel intention across two groups of countries with higher and lower COVID-19 case fatality rates. The findings showed more positive perceptions towards trust, crisis management, healthcare system, and solidarity in those countries with lower case fatality rate. The results also demonstrated the positive effects of trust and solidarity on willingness to support a destinations and indirect effects on travel intention for the countries with higher rate of case fatality. Theoretical and practical implications post pandemic are also discussed.Abstract This study investigates the perceptions shaped by media towards trust, crisis management, healthcare system, and solidarity, as well as willingness to support and travel intention across two groups of countries with higher and lower COVID-19 case fatality rates. The findings showed more positive perceptions towards trust, crisis management, healthcare system, and solidarity in those countries with lower case fatality rate. The results also demonstrated the positive effects of trust and solidarity on willingness to support a destinations and indirect effects on travel intention for the countries with higher rate of case fatality. Theoretical and practical implications post pandemic are also discussed

Gen Z and the flight shame movement: Examining the intersection of emotions, biospheric values, and environmental travel behaviour in an eastern society

Using the norm activation model (NAM), our research delves into the impact of environmental concerns, and environmental self-assets on environmentally responsible travel behaviour (ENVRB), and the role of affective constructs (love for nature [LNA], respect for nature and flight shame) on travelling behaviour among Generation Z in India. Through a prediction-oriented and exploratory approach using partial least squares–structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), our study reveals strong effects of environmental concerns and self-assets on responsible travel behaviour, and the mediating role of LNA in these relationships; the mediating role of respect for nature was insignificant. Furthermore, flight shame emerges as a strong predictor of responsible travel behaviour, mediating the transition from love and respect for nature to responsible travel behaviour. Our findings underscore the importance of emotional factors such as love and respect for nature in promoting sustainable consumer behaviour. We emphasise the need for tailored sustainable tourism initiatives to overcome emerging economies’ cultural patterns and psychological barriers. The findings suggested that nurturing a deep love and respect for nature and promoting environmental self-assets and concerns are crucial for successful sustainable tourism initiatives among Gen Z. Avenues for future research are also discussed. © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group

Exploring the components of meal-sharing experiences with local foods: A netnography approach

This study aims to explore and ascertain the components of meal-sharing experiences with local foods of international travellers. This study offers insights into the factors influencing local food tourists’ evaluation of destination experiences of a sharing economy platform. A netnography approach is applied to understand the meal-sharing experience and 957 online reviews are examined which were posted on Eatwith by visitors who participated in the meal-sharing economy platform in Rome (Italy) between 2013 and 2020. Findings reveal seven components of meal-sharing experiences with local foods: authenticity, social interaction, local hospitality, awe, local culture, novelty, and servicescape. Findings show that participants can interpret their meal-sharing experience in different ways. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first research that uses online reviews to explore and understand the meal-sharing experience with local foods. This study has unique theoretical contribution by exploring the components of meal-sharing experience with local foods, as well as practical implications for service providers in order to enhance their service and experience quality

Conclusion : Emerging trends and future prospects in the muslim travel market

AbstractThis concluding chapter provides some reflections on the prospects and futures on research issues in relation to Muslim travel cultures and tourist practices and the complexities surrounding it. Drawing on contemporary research literature, the chapter identifies several main themes: the notion of Muslim-friendly tourism, the millennial market and gender dimensions of travel, and lastly the growing importance of the environment and green consumerism in Muslim travel. The chapter concludes by noting the importance of developing a far more sophisticated and empirically grounded critical assessment of Muslim tourism than what has previously usually been the case. The chapter also presents some closing thoughts on the future of research on Muslim practices of tourism consumption and production in the context of businesses, communities, destinations, and the wider socio-political context.Abstract This concluding chapter provides some reflections on the prospects and futures on research issues in relation to Muslim travel cultures and tourist practices and the complexities surrounding it. Drawing on contemporary research literature, the chapter identifies several main themes: the notion of Muslim-friendly tourism, the millennial market and gender dimensions of travel, and lastly the growing importance of the environment and green consumerism in Muslim travel. The chapter concludes by noting the importance of developing a far more sophisticated and empirically grounded critical assessment of Muslim tourism than what has previously usually been the case. The chapter also presents some closing thoughts on the future of research on Muslim practices of tourism consumption and production in the context of businesses, communities, destinations, and the wider socio-political context