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

Local communities surrounding Kinabalu National Park, Sabah, exhibit strong positive perceptions of tourism development, viewing it as a significant improvement to their income resources and quality of life. This finding underscores the potential for rural tourism to serve as an economic driver in marginalized mountainous regions, aligning with global trends that highlight its benefits for social regeneration and community empowerment. The study employed quantitative methods, distributing 378 questionnaires to residents in villages adjacent to the park, to assess their involvement in and benefits from tourism development. Results suggest that local engagement in the tourism sector can foster sustainable economic growth while enhancing living conditions, offering valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders aiming to leverage tourism for rural development.

Jaafar, M., Bakri, N. M., & Rasoolimanesh, S. M. (2015). Local Community and Tourism Development: A Study of Rural Mountainous Destinations. Modern Applied Science, 9(8). https://doi.org/10.5539/mas.v9n8p399