Infrastructure, accessibility, and regional challenges in sustainable tourism: Evidence from Ha'il, Saudi Arabia

Sustainable tourism development (STD) in Ha'il, Saudi Arabia, is significantly enhanced by infrastructure and accessibility quality (IAQ), while regional challenges (RC) impede its growth. A 2024 survey of 282 tourists analyzed via PLS-SEM revealed IAQ strongly supports STD (β = 0.538, p < 0.001), whereas RC negatively impacts it (β = -0.424, p < 0.001). The model explained 66.6% of the variance in STD, underscoring the critical role of governance and environmental stewardship alongside infrastructure investments. Policymakers are urged to integrate conservation principles with participatory planning for long-term viability. This study provides actionable insights for sustainable tourism in arid peripheral regions under Vision 2030.

Alanazi, S. Q., & Rahim, A. A. (2026). Infrastructure, accessibility, and regional challenges in sustainable tourism: Evidence from Ha’il, Saudi Arabia. International Journal of Asian Social Science, 16(3), 158–172. https://doi.org/10.55493/5007.v16i3.5845