Lucerne's crossroads: residents’ perspectives on tourism development and the imperative for regulatory oversight

Abstract

This study examines how Lucerne residents perceive the impact of tourism across economic, socio-cultural, urban environment, and behavioural dimensions, focusing on its effect on their perceived quality of life and the perceived significance of tourism to the city. The study investigates three types of regulatory controls (i.e. distribution and flow, tourist characteristics, and marketing communication) imposed on the destination as mediators of these desirable outcomes. By analysing data from 1,530 residents using Integrated Generalised Structured Component Analysis (IGSCA) and Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA), the findings reveal that while economic benefits to local businesses reduce the need for restricting tourist markets, economic drawbacks for individuals, such as higher living costs, lead to calls for stricter tourist controls. Additionally, the study suggests that the cultural aspect of the socio-cultural dimension is a necessary condition for tourists to perceive that tourism enhances the quality of life, whereas the social aspect is not. The research highlights the crucial role of regulatory controls in enhancing residents’ quality of life and the perceived significance of tourism, thereby supporting sustainable tourism practices at the urban destination. Limitations and potential future research are also addressed.