Factors Influencing Residents’ Perceptions toward Tourism Development: Differences across Rural and Urban World Heritage Sites

Residents' perceptions of tourism development vary significantly between rural and urban World Heritage Sites (WHSs), with economic gain and community involvement playing distinct roles depending on the context. A study comparing the rural Lenggong and urban George Town WHSs in Malaysia found that while these factors have a stronger influence in rural areas, community attachment and environmental attitudes do not differ significantly between the two settings. Using advanced statistical methods like partial least squares–structural equation modeling, researchers analyzed survey data to reveal these differences, offering valuable insights for local authorities managing tourism development. This work highlights the nuanced relationship between tourism impacts and resident perceptions in developing-world heritage contexts.

Rasoolimanesh, S. M., Roldán, J. L., Jaafar, M., & Ramayah, T. (2016). Factors Influencing Residents’ Perceptions toward Tourism Development: Differences across Rural and Urban World Heritage Sites. Journal of Travel Research, 56(6), 760–775. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047287516662354