Satisfaction of Indigenous Tourism from Residents’ Perspective: A Case Study in Nantou County, Taiwan

Chu Chu Liao,Huey-Hong Hsieh,Ying-Xing Lin

doi:10.3390/su11010276

Chu Chu Liao, Huey-Hong Hsieh + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/su11010276

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Journal: Sustainability	Publication Date: Jan 8, 2019
Citations: 5	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Fuzhou University, Taiwan Shoufu University

Abstract

This study focused on indigenous residents’ satisfaction of tourism development. We used sociocultural preservation (SP), economic benefits (EB), environmental protection (EP) and environmental devastation (ED) as indicators to examine residents’ satisfaction following tourism development in an indigenous area. The present study interviewed 391 indigenous residents located in two indigenous villages located in Nantou County, Taiwan, aged 20–70 (174 men and 217 women). The findings showed that most of the participants were satisfied with SP, EB and EP and revealed differences among birthplace, duration of residence, occupation groups regarding SP, EB and EP. Two types of groups (people born locally and residing for more than 15 years) reported higher satisfaction of SP, EB and EP. In addition, path analysis found SP, BE, EP and ED had explanatory power of tourism development satisfaction with R2 = 0.692. Since tourism development in indigenous areas has significant impact on local residents, this development should consider not only the economic benefits but also sociocultural preservation and environmental protection to meet the expectations of local indigenous residents.

Highlights

The main purpose of this study is to explore the associations among sociocultural preservation, economic benefits, environmental impact and tourism satisfaction of indigenous tourism from the perspective of local residents
Sociocultural perception: Averages in this scale ranged from 3.72 to 3.92, indicating indigenous residents agreed with the efforts of preserving the local socio-culture by government and local residents
Environmental protection: Averages in this scale ranged from 3.6 to 3.95, indicating indigenous residents acknowledged the efforts of environmental protection by government and local residents

Summary

Introduction

The main purpose of this study is to explore the associations among sociocultural preservation, economic benefits, environmental impact and tourism satisfaction of indigenous tourism from the perspective of local residents. The core issues and goals are (1) comparisons of residents’ perception differences toward sociocultural preservation, economic benefit and environmental protection and (2) clarification of the associations among sociocultural preservation, economic benefit, environmental protection and tourism development satisfaction of local residents. We hope these explorations can provide perceptive insights into indigenous tourism from indigenous residents’ perspectives for authorities regarding the management of indigenous tourism. Indigenous tourism can be defined as a type of tourism activity which involves the culture of indigenous people serving as the essence of the attraction. Indigenous tourism can provide opportunities to promote greater cultural understanding while enhancing indigenous peoples’ capacity and economy [1]

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