Sustainable tourism development and residents’ perceptions in World Heritage Site destinations

Residents' perceptions of sustainable tourism development vary significantly based on age, education level, and economic involvement, with negative views more prevalent among certain groups. Conversely, positive perceptions correlate with greater support for and participation in tourism initiatives. This study, conducted at Malaysia's Lenggong Valley World Heritage Site (WHS), applies stakeholder theory to analyze these heterogeneous attitudes, revealing that fostering positive perceptions could enhance local engagement in tourism planning. The findings offer actionable insights for authorities aiming to balance development with resident satisfaction in rural WHS destinations.

Rasoolimanesh, S. M., & Jaafar, M. (2016). Sustainable tourism development and residents’ perceptions in World Heritage Site destinations. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, 22(1), 34–48. https://doi.org/10.1080/10941665.2016.1175491