FACTORS AFFECTING REGIONAL LINKAGES IN TOURISM DEVELOPMENT, CASE STUDY OF AN GIANG PROVINCE AND ITS SURROUNDING AREA IN MEKONG DELTA REGION, VIETNAM

Abstract

In recent years, regional linkage in tourism development has played a crucial role in exploiting resources, creating distinctive tourism products, and enhancing each region's competitiveness and locality. Due to the cumulative effect of numerous interrelated factors, determining the impact of regional linkage factors is always a top priority when developing tourism regional and local development policy structures. In this study, An Giang Province and the surrounding area in the Mekong Delta, which included Cantho City, Dong Thap Province, and Kien Giang Province, have been chosen as the study objects for evaluating the factors affecting tourism regional linkages. This study applied Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Multiple Linear Regression Analysis (MLRA) to the questionnaires of 300 visitors who visited An Giang and the surrounding areas. The results indicate that policy, cultural tourism resources, and infrastructure are the most influential variables in developing regional links in An Giang. Geographic location and natural resources considerations influence the province's tourism development less than other variables.