Influence of Sociodemographic Characteristics on the Support of an Emerging Community-based Tourism Destination in Gunung Ciremai National Park, Indonesia

Abstract

ABSTRACT Community-based tourism (CBT) in national parks (NPs) is promising for diversifying local livelihood strategies while encouraging them to support conservation efforts. Although tourism in NPs is prominent, studies in the context of the newly emerged CBT in developing countries remain challenging. To understand the mechanism on how residents’ sociodemographic characteristics influence their support of CBT developments in the early stage, the merge social exchange theory (SET) and identity theory were used. In total, 934 usable questionnaires were obtained from 12 villages adjacent to Gunung Ciremai National Park (GCNP), Indonesia. The piecewise structural equation model results implied that the influence of residents’ sociodemographic characteristics and their support for tourism development was partially and fully mediated by perceived benefits and costs. While the influence of involvement in tourism and formal education attainment toward their level of support was partially mediated, gender and personal monthly incomes were fully mediated by perceived benefits and costs. The findings confirm the suitability of merging SET and identity theory in the context of newly CBT development in NPs. The NP managers should be aware of the sociodemographic characteristics of adjacent communities, which are essential for supporting the sustainability of CBT initiatives as well as NPs conservation efforts.