Spatial Distributive Differences in Residents' Perceptions of Tourism Impacts in Support for Sustainable Tourism Development-Lu-Kang Destination Case

Few empirical studies on the effect of tourism impacts on residents' support for tourism development have linked an environmental justice perspective with sustainable tourism. This study aims to explore spatial distributive differences in residents' perceptions of tourism impacts to understand their support for sustainable tourism development. A total of 1057 residents of the Lu-Kang destination in Taiwan were surveyed using an on-site questionnaire. Employing the kernel density method and the local K function for spatial point analysis, the results indicated that spatial clustering of residents' perceptions of both positive and negative tourism impacts occurred in the specific locations. Further, high household income, high education, and more personal benefits from tourism promoted the formation of localized spatial clusters where residents had positive perceptions of tourism impacts which, in turn, led to a high level of support for tourism development. Conversely, low income, low education, and less personal benefits from tourism cultivated the development of spatial clusters with negative perceptions of tourism impacts which, in turn, caused a low level of support for tourism development. The implications for sustainable tourism planning and strategies are discussed.