Apoio da comunidade residente ao desenvolvimento turístico sustentável: um modelo de equações estruturais aplicado a uma cidade histórica do Norte de Portugal Resident's support for sustainable tourism development: a structural equation model applied to an historic town of North Portugal

This study investigates the interrelationships between community attachment, community involvement, government management of tourism, perceived tourism benefits and perceived tourism costs, and support for sustainable tourism development. In line with previous studies in the field, a quantitative research design was adopted. The data collection was performed through a personal survey conducted at Lamego city, a historic city in North of Portugal (sample of 300 residents). Structural equation modelling technique was used as a means to analyse the hypothesised relationships. Results have shown that both community attachment and government management of tourism has a positive and significant impact on perceived benefits. Additionally, the effect of community involvement on residents support for sustainable tourism development is supported empirically. In relation to the impacts of tourism, the study also suggest a positive relationship between perceived benefits and support for sustainable tourism development. The results of this study emphasize the importance of analyzing residents’ perceptions in the decision-making and planning policy for tourism development.