Balancing tourism and conservation: analysing the sustainability of tourism in the city of Naples through citizen perspectives

Abstract

This research aims to assess how residents perceive the impact of tourism on different dimensions, including the economy, environment, culture, society, and politics. Tourism plays a key role in stimulating a city’s economy. Nevertheless, it also presents challenges for residents, influencing their quality of life and mobility. Recently, the city of Naples (South of Italy) has emerged as a favorite destination for tourists in search of art, history, and landscapes. By gathering insights from the community through the administration of a questionnaire, the study provides a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted effects of tourism development in Naples. A theoretical model was estimated using a Structural Equation Model (SEM) to validate the formulated hypotheses regarding the relationship between six factors used to measure residents’ perception of tourism. Results provide a valuable resource for public administrations, helping them adopt effective strategies to address the impact of tourism on residents and mitigate its negative effects.