The effects of community factors on residents’ perceptions toward World Heritage Site inscription and sustainable tourism development

Residents' perceptions of World Heritage Site (WHS) inscription and sustainable tourism development are significantly influenced by community factors such as attachment, cultural attitudes, involvement, and gains. A study analyzing 410 questionnaires from George Town, Malaysia, found that community members' gain and status consistency had particularly strong effects on these perceptions. These perceptions, in turn, strongly influence support for WHS conservation and tourism development. The research used partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to conceptualize relationships based on social exchange theory (SET). This study not only contributes new insights into resident perception factors but also offers practical implications for sustainable community development in the George Town WHS.

Rasoolimanesh, S. M., Jaafar, M., Kock, N., & Ahmad, A. G. (2016). The effects of community factors on residents’ perceptions toward World Heritage Site inscription and sustainable tourism development. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 25(2), 198–216. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2016.1195836