Tourism and local development: residents’ perceptions in a rural Ecuadorian community
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36097/rsan.v1iEspecial_3.3718Keywords:
tourism perception, local development, rural communities, tourism governance, sustainable tourismAbstract
Tourism is recognized as a key strategy for generating foreign exchange and promoting economic development and has therefore been incorporated into the Sustainable Development Goals. This study aims to assess residents’ perceptions of tourism as a tool for local development in El Laurel Parish, Guayaquil, Ecuador. A quantitative approach was adopted, using a descriptive-correlational design and non-probability convenience sampling, with a sample of 95 residents. Data were collected through a structured survey comprising sociodemographic variables and six dimensions of analysis—economic, sociocultural, environmental, technological, political, and tourism-related—distributed across 25 items. The analysis, conducted using SPSS version 25, demonstrated adequate internal consistency of the instrument (α > 0.79). The results indicate a favorable perception of tourism development, particularly regarding the existence of local attractions and residents’ acceptance of tourism projects. Correlational analysis identified significant relationships between the overall perception of tourism and the technological, political, and economic dimensions. The multiple linear regression model was statistically significant (R² = 0.663), explaining 66.3% of the variance in the overall perception of tourism. The technological and political dimensions emerged as the most relevant predictors, highlighting their role in shaping the assessment of tourism as a strategy for local development.
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