Sustainable development of recreation and tourism

Abstract

Over the period of time, responsible and sustainable development have become very important phenomenon and integrating with each form of development. When it comes to tourism and its various forms then it plays a significant role in order to develop, retain and sustain the tourism for the future generation even without compromising the present needs, wants and desires of tourists, local residents and stakeholders. Therefore, the present study has measured the impacts and relationship between sustainable development and recreation (most common form of tourism) and tourism development. This is an empirical research conducted through both quantitative and qualitative approaches and methods. Sample of 100 respondents which includes tourists, local residents, tourism stakeholders, tourism professionals, academician and research scholars has been collected via self-administrated standardized questionnaire or tool name; Sustainable Development Measurement Scale (SDMS) over five point Likert Scale. SDMS have ten distinct and specific items related to sustainable development with reference to recreation and tourism development. Collected data has been analysis with the help of both descriptive and inferential statistics such as correlation coefficient and SEM (Structural Equation Modeling). Findings of the study suggested that sustainable development has high positive correlation with recreation and tourism development and also significantly impacting both recreation and tourism development at tourism destinations. On the basis of researcher findings appropriate suggestions and recommendations were also made in relation to sustainable recreational tourism development.