Article
Rural Tourism as a Catalyst for Inclusive Community Development: A Structural Equation Model of Socio-Cultural, Economic and Quality-of-Life Outcomes
Rural tourism is increasingly recognised as a potential pathway for improving rural livelihoods, preserving socio-cultural resources and enhancing community quality of life. This study empirically examines the influence of economic factors, socio-cultural factors, and community support for future tourism development on quality of life in rural tourism communities. A quantitative, cross-sectional research design was adopted, and primary data were collected from 400 respondents using a structured five-point Likert-scale questionnaire. The proposed relationships were examined using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). The measurement model demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha values ranging from 0.721 to 0.828 for the individual constructs and 0.892 for the overall instrument. The structural model showed an acceptable overall fit (χ² = 316.719, df = 87, χ²/df = 3.640, GFI = 0.915, IFI = 0.917, CFI = 0.916, RMSEA = 0.081). The results indicate that economic factors do not have a statistically significant direct effect on quality of life (β = 0.121, p = 0.193). In contrast, socio-cultural factors have a significant positive effect on quality of life (β = 0.595, p < 0.001), while community support for future tourism development also has a significant positive effect (β = 0.237, p < 0.001). These findings suggest that the contribution of rural tourism to inclusive community development extends beyond direct economic benefits and is strongly associated with socio-cultural integration and community support. The study highlights the importance of participatory tourism planning, cultural preservation, effective local governance, infrastructure development and sustainable resource management in strengthening rural quality of life. The study contributes to the rural tourism literature by empirically integrating economic, socio-cultural and community-support dimensions within a quality-of-life framework.