The importance of support for sport tourism development among local residents: the mediating role of the perceived impacts of sport tourism

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study aims to explore how the perceived impacts of sport tourism mediate the relationship between (1) place image and residents’ support for sport tourism development and (2) knowledge about tourism and residents’ support for sport tourism development. A total of 300 local residents participated in this study. The data were analysed using SmartPLS software. The results show that place image and perceived impacts of sport tourism are positively related to residents’ support for sport tourism development. Place image and knowledge about tourism are positively related to the perceived impacts of sport tourism. Additionally, the perceived impacts of sport tourism fully mediate the relationship between knowledge about tourism and residents’ support for sport tourism development, and partially mediate the relationship between place image and residents’ support for sport tourism development. These findings will offer valuable insight to tourism policy makers in crafting an effective sport tourism development plan to gain residents’ support for sport tourism development. Theoretical implications and practical implications are discussed, along with limitations and future research.