Government management of tourism in fostering residents support for sustainable tourism development: Evidence from a Portuguese historic town

This study explores the interrelationships between tourism dependence, government management of tourism, perceived tourism benefits and perceived tourism costs, and support for sustainable tourism development (STD). A quantitative research design was adopted. The data collection was performed through a personal survey conducted to 300 residents of a small historic town within the Douro World Heritage Site (Lamego town).The results suggest that government management of tourism has a positive and significant impact on perceived tourism benefits and costs. The effect of government management of tourism in fostering residents support for STD was also empirically supported. Additionally, the effect of perceived tourism benefits on residents support for STD was also supported empirically. However, economic dependence on tourism does not have a significant effect either on perceived benefits, on perceived costs or on the residents support for STD. Also, perceived negative impacts are not a predictor to measure support for STD.