Does Community Support in Moderating Roles Mitigate Short Comings in Rural Tourism Development?

Rural tourism's potential to boost local economies is significantly enhanced when combined with strong community support, according to a study focusing on the Sundarbans National Park. The research reveals that both hard services (like infrastructure) and soft services (such as hospitality) are critical drivers of destination competitiveness, but their positive effects are amplified when communities actively engage in tourism development. Using structural equation modeling (SEM) with PLS-4 path analysis, the study analyzed survey data from domestic tourists to quantify how community support—through cooperation and hospitality—influences tourism outcomes. The findings underscore that fostering community involvement can mitigate shortcomings in rural tourism, offering actionable insights for policymakers and stakeholders aiming to enhance destination attractiveness.

Das, B., Pradhan, B., Roy, M., & Bhatia, S. (2024). Does Community Support in Moderating Roles Mitigate Short Comings in Rural Tourism Development? PUSA Journal of Hospitality and Applied Sciences, 10(2), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.48165/pjhas.2024.10.2.1