IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v11y2019i9p2594-d228464.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Residents’ Perception of Destination Quality: Key Factors for Sustainable Rural Development

Author

Listed:
  • Iulia C. Muresan

    (Department of Economic Sciences, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Manastur Street, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Rezhen Harun

    (Department of Agribusiness and Rural Development, College of Agricultural Sciences Engineering, University of Sulaimani, Kurdistan Regional Government-Iraq, Sulaimani-Bakrajo; Sulaimani-IRAQ 334, Iraq)

  • Felix H. Arion

    (Department of Economic Sciences, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Manastur Street, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Camelia F. Oroian

    (Department of Economic Sciences, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Manastur Street, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Diana E. Dumitras

    (Department of Economic Sciences, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Manastur Street, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Valentin C. Mihai

    (Department of Economic Sciences, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Manastur Street, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Marioara Ilea

    (Department of Economic Sciences, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Manastur Street, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Daniel I. Chiciudean

    (Department of Economic Sciences, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Manastur Street, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Iulia D. Gliga

    (Department of Land Measurements and Science, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Manastur Street, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Gabriela O. Chiciudean

    (Department of Economic Sciences, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Manastur Street, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

Abstract

Tourism represents a viable alternative for economic activities in rural areas, and improves the living standards of the communities. The aim of the paper is to assess residents’ perceptions towards tourism destination quality in the North-West Development Region of Romania using the following items: natural attractions: cultural and social attractions; accommodation; food; availability of transportation to destination area; quality of information and communication; hospitality of host community; feeling of security and safety. A survey was conducted to collect the data and a total of 433 questionnaires were validated and analyzed. Descriptive and inferential statistics (Principal component analysis, ANOVA, Scheffe multiple range test) were used to analyze the data. Results show that there are statistically significant differences in residents’ perceptions between counties. Two of the components of destination quality (general infrastructure and tourism potential) are affected by the gender of residents, while the level of education has no significant effect. A weak and indirect correlation was found between the age of residents and their perception towards a quality destination. This study makes two contributions to the existing literature. First, a questionnaire was developed based on the QUALITEST tool adapted to the realities of the research area. Second, we analyzed the perception of residents towards a quality destination in relation to their socio-demographic characteristics and county of residence. Understanding the implications of tourism development from the residents’ point of view helps to increase knowledge about the factors affecting the long-term, sustainable success of tourism destinations.

Suggested Citation

  • Iulia C. Muresan & Rezhen Harun & Felix H. Arion & Camelia F. Oroian & Diana E. Dumitras & Valentin C. Mihai & Marioara Ilea & Daniel I. Chiciudean & Iulia D. Gliga & Gabriela O. Chiciudean, 2019. "Residents’ Perception of Destination Quality: Key Factors for Sustainable Rural Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-21, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:9:p:2594-:d:228464
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/9/2594/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/9/2594/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ray F. Iunius & Laura Cismaru & Diana Foris, 2015. "Raising Competitiveness for Tourist Destinations through Information Technologies within the Newest Tourism Action Framework Proposed by the European Commission," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(9), pages 1-19, September.
    2. Asyraf Afthanorhan & Zainudin Awang & Sharifah Fazella, 2017. "Perception of Tourism Impact and Support Tourism Development in Terengganu, Malaysia," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 6(3), pages 1-11, September.
    3. Florentina Daniela Matei (Titilina), 2014. "Rural tourism development strategy in north west of Romania," International Conference on Competitiveness of Agro-food and Environmental Economy Proceedings, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, vol. 3, pages 274-281.
    4. Angel BUJOSA BESTARD & Jaume ROSSELLÓ NADAL, 2007. "Attitudes Toward Tourism And Tourism Congestion," Region et Developpement, Region et Developpement, LEAD, Universite du Sud - Toulon Var, vol. 25, pages 193-207.
    5. Rezhen Harun & Gabriela O. Chiciudean & Kawan Sirwan & Felix H. Arion & Iulia C. Muresan, 2018. "Attitudes and Perceptions of the Local Community towards Sustainable Tourism Development in Kurdistan Regional Government, Iraq," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-13, August.
    6. Figueroa-Domecq, Cristina & Pritchard, Annette & Segovia-Pérez, Mónica & Morgan, Nigel & Villacé-Molinero, Teresa, 2015. "Tourism gender research: A critical accounting," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 87-103.
    7. Fallon, Paul & Schofield, Peter, 2006. "The dynamics of destination attribute importance," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 59(6), pages 709-713, June.
    8. Diana E. Dumitras & Iulia C. Muresan & Ionel M. Jitea & Valentin C. Mihai & Simona E. Balazs & Tiberiu Iancu, 2017. "Assessing Tourists’ Preferences for Recreational Trips in National and Natural Parks as a Premise for Long-Term Sustainable Management Plans," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-15, September.
    9. Lee, Tsung Hung, 2013. "Influence analysis of community resident support for sustainable tourism development," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 34(C), pages 37-46.
    10. Chaminuka, P. & Groeneveld, R.A. & Selomane, A.O. & van Ierland, E.C., 2012. "Tourist preferences for ecotourism in rural communities adjacent to Kruger National Park: A choice experiment approach," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 33(1), pages 168-176.
    11. Woo, Eunju & Kim, Hyelin & Uysal, Muzaffer, 2015. "Life satisfaction and support for tourism development," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 84-97.
    12. Henry Kaiser, 1974. "An index of factorial simplicity," Psychometrika, Springer;The Psychometric Society, vol. 39(1), pages 31-36, March.
    13. Devine, Jon & Gabe, Todd M. & Bell, Kathleen P., 2009. "Community Scale and Resident Attitudes towards Tourism," Journal of Regional Analysis and Policy, Mid-Continent Regional Science Association, vol. 39(1), pages 1-12.
    14. Xiaoming (Rose) Liu & Jun (Justin) Li, 2018. "Host Perceptions of Tourism Impact and Stage of Destination Development in a Developing Country," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-15, July.
    15. Vera Patrício & Rogério Puga Leal & Zulema Lopes Pereira, 2006. "Applicability of SERVQUAL in restaurants: an exploratory study in a Portuguese resort," Enterprise and Work Innovation Studies, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, IET/CICS.NOVA-Interdisciplinary Centre on Social Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, vol. 2(2), pages 127-136, November.
    16. Iulia C. Muresan & Camelia F. Oroian & Rezhen Harun & Felix H. Arion & Andra Porutiu & Gabriela O. Chiciudean & Alexandru Todea & Ramona Lile, 2016. "Local Residents’ Attitude toward Sustainable Rural Tourism Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(1), pages 1-14, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Giorgi Gogitidze & Nana Nadareishvili & Rezhen Harun & Iulia D. Arion & Iulia C. Muresan, 2022. "Exploring Residents’ Perceptions towards Tourism Development—A Case Study of the Adjara Mountain Area," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-18, December.
    2. Francisco J. Castellano-Álvarez & Ana Nieto Masot & José Castro-Serrano, 2020. "Intangibles of Rural Development. The Case Study of La Vera (Extremadura, Spain)," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(6), pages 1-18, June.
    3. Tiantian (Tiana) Shi & Biao He & Jun (Justin) Li, 2019. "Exotic or Home? Tourists’ Perception of Guest Houses, Guest Houses Loyalty, and Destination Loyalty in Remote Tourist Destinations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(14), pages 1-16, July.
    4. Feher, Andrea & Stanciu, Sorin & Iancu, Tiberiu & Adamov, Tabita Cornelia & Ciolac, Ramona Mariana & Pascalau, Raul & Banes, Adrian & Raicov, Miroslav & Gosa, Vasile, 2022. "Design of the macroeconomic evolution of Romania's agriculture 2020–2040," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).
    5. Francisco Javier Castellano-Álvarez & Rafael Robina-Ramírez, 2023. "Long-Term Survival of Investments Implemented under Endogenous Rural Development Programs: The Case Study of La Vera Region (Extremadura, Spain)," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-16, November.
    6. Elsie Nasr & Okechukwu Lawrence Emeagwali & Hasan Yousef Aljuhmani & Souha Al-Geitany, 2022. "Destination Social Responsibility and Residents’ Environmentally Responsible Behavior: Assessing the Mediating Role of Community Attachment and Involvement," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-26, October.
    7. Despina Saghin & Luminița-Mirela Lăzărescu & Liliana Daniela Diacon & Maria Grosu, 2022. "Residents’ Perceptions of Tourism: A Decisive Variable in Stimulating Entrepreneurial Intentions and Activities in Tourism in the Mountainous Rural Area of the North-East Region of Romania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-30, August.
    8. Francisco Javier Castellano-Álvarez & Rafael Robina Ramírez & Ana Nieto Masot, 2023. "Tourism Development in the Framework of Endogenous Rural Development Programmes—Comparison of the Case Studies of the Regions of La Vera and Tajo-Salor (Extremadura, Spain)," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-28, March.
    9. Ovidiu R. Ciascai & Ștefan Dezsi & Karina A. Rus, 2022. "Cycling Tourism: A Literature Review to Assess Implications, Multiple Impacts, Vulnerabilities, and Future Perspectives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-18, July.
    10. Daniel Ioan Chiciudean & Rezhen Harun & Iulia Cristina Muresan & Felix Horatiu Arion & Gabriela Ofelia Chiciudean, 2021. "Rural Community-Perceived Benefits of a Music Festival," Societies, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-13, June.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Iulia C. Muresan & Rezhen Harun & Felix H. Arion & Ava Omar Fatah & Diana E. Dumitras, 2021. "Exploring Residents’ Perceptions of the Socio-Cultural Benefits of Tourism Development in the Mountain Area," Societies, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-11, July.
    2. Rezhen Harun & Gabriela O. Chiciudean & Kawan Sirwan & Felix H. Arion & Iulia C. Muresan, 2018. "Attitudes and Perceptions of the Local Community towards Sustainable Tourism Development in Kurdistan Regional Government, Iraq," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-13, August.
    3. István Egresi & Supun Lahiru Prakash & Buddhika Maduraperruma & Amila Withanage & Aruna Weerasingha & Ştefan Dezsi & Bianca Sorina Răcăşan, 2021. "What Affects Support for Wetland Tourism? A Case Study from Sri Lanka," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-18, August.
    4. Iulia C. Muresan & Camelia F. Oroian & Rezhen Harun & Felix H. Arion & Andra Porutiu & Gabriela O. Chiciudean & Alexandru Todea & Ramona Lile, 2016. "Local Residents’ Attitude toward Sustainable Rural Tourism Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(1), pages 1-14, January.
    5. Bogdan-Constantin Ibănescu & Oana Mihaela Stoleriu & Alina Munteanu & Corneliu Iațu, 2018. "The Impact of Tourism on Sustainable Development of Rural Areas: Evidence from Romania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-19, October.
    6. Ana María Campón-Cerro & José Antonio Folgado-Fernández & José Manuel Hernández-Mogollón, 2017. "Rural Destination Development Based on Olive Oil Tourism: The Impact of Residents’ Community Attachment and Quality of Life on Their Support for Tourism Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-16, September.
    7. Bimonte, Salvatore & Faralla, Valeria, 2016. "Does residents' perceived life satisfaction vary with tourist season? A two-step survey in a Mediterranean destination," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 199-208.
    8. Bogdan-Constantin Ibanescu & Mihail Eva & Alexandra Gheorghiu, 2020. "Questioning the Role of Tourism as an Engine for Resilience: The Role of Accessibility and Economic Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-13, July.
    9. Xiaoping Gu & Carter A. Hunt & Michael L. Lengieza & Lijun Niu & Huiwen Wu & Yue Wang & Xiang Jia, 2020. "Evaluating Residents’ Perceptions of Nature-Based Tourism with a Factor-Cluster Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-19, December.
    10. Elsie Nasr & Okechukwu Lawrence Emeagwali & Hasan Yousef Aljuhmani & Souha Al-Geitany, 2022. "Destination Social Responsibility and Residents’ Environmentally Responsible Behavior: Assessing the Mediating Role of Community Attachment and Involvement," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-26, October.
    11. Sanja Obradović & Aleksandra Tešin, 2023. "Local Communities’ Perceptions of Tourism Planning in Natural Areas," Tourism and Hospitality, MDPI, vol. 4(2), pages 1-19, May.
    12. Salvatore Bimonte & Antonella D’Agostino, 2021. "Tourism development and residents’ well-being: Comparing two seaside destinations in Italy," Tourism Economics, , vol. 27(7), pages 1508-1525, November.
    13. Milena Nedeljković Knežević & Marko D. Petrović & Slađana Nedeljković & Maja Mijatov & Milan M. Radovanović & Mirjana Gajić & Miroslav Škoda, 2019. "Changes in Traditional Activities of Industrial Area toward Sustainable Tourism Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(22), pages 1-16, November.
    14. Francisco J. Castellano-Álvarez & Ana Nieto Masot & José Castro-Serrano, 2020. "Intangibles of Rural Development. The Case Study of La Vera (Extremadura, Spain)," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(6), pages 1-18, June.
    15. Fernando Almeida-García & Rafael Cortes-Macías & Antonia Balbuena-Vázquez & M. Carmen-Hidalgo, 2020. "New Perspectives of Residents’ Perceptions in a Mature Seaside Destination," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-25, May.
    16. Navneel Shalendra Prasad & Nikeel Nishkar Kumar, 2022. "Resident Perceptions of Environment and Economic Impacts of Tourism in Fiji," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-20, April.
    17. Lai, Ivan Ka Wai & Hitchcock, Michael, 2015. "Importance–performance analysis in tourism: A framework for researchers," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 242-267.
    18. Jaffar Aman & Jaffar Abbas & Shahid Mahmood & Mohammad Nurunnabi & Shaher Bano, 2019. "The Influence of Islamic Religiosity on the Perceived Socio-Cultural Impact of Sustainable Tourism Development in Pakistan: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-27, May.
    19. Adongo, Charles A. & Taale, Francis & Adam, Issahaku, 2018. "Tourists' values and empathic attitude toward sustainable development in tourism," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 251-263.
    20. Eva María Sánchez-Teba & María Dolores Benítez-Márquez & Teresa Romero-Navas, 2019. "Residents’ Negative Perceptions towards Tourism, Loyalty and Happiness: The Case of Fuengirola, Spain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(23), pages 1-19, December.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:9:p:2594-:d:228464. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.