EXAMINATION OF IMPACT OF RESPONSIBLE TOURISM PRACTICES ON QUALITY OF LIFE OF DESTINATION COMMUNITIES

Abstract

The study endeavors to find out the perceived impact of Responsible Tourism Practices (RTPs) on destination communities’ Quality of Life (QOL). Besides, the investigation tests the mediating role of community involvement in the relationship between RTPs and QOL. A well-designed questionnaire developed from the existing literature was distributed among the tourist destination residents of Pahalgam, Kashmir Valley, India. In addition, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed to validate the EFA findings through AMOSS 22. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) technique was also applied to ascertain the impact of RTPs on QOL. Finally, the mediating role of community involvement was examined and, subsequently, the results were reported. The study’s findings resulted in a significant relationship between RTPs and QOL; thereby, RTPs have a pivotal role in enhancing the QOL of the communities. Furthermore, the investigation revealed that community involvement mediates the relationship between RTPs and QOL. Thus, the study’s achievements suggest that the locals should be involved in tourism activities to enhance the communities’ QOL.

Keywords

• travel industry
• responsible tourism practices
• qualify of life
• destination communities
• pahalgam
• mediating factor