Road and transport infrastructure development and community support for tourism: The role of perceived benefits, and community satisfaction

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of road and transportation infrastructure on community support for tourism in the context of the China-Pakistan economic corridor (CPEC), a multi-billion-dollar mega project. Utilizing social exchange theory, the authors examined a positive relationship between perceived impact of road and transport infrastructure development and local community support for tourism through perceived environmental impact, perceived tourism benefits, and perceived community satisfaction. The data was collected through an online survey from 350 people living along the CPEC route in Pakistan. Results revealed that perceived impact of CPEC road and transport infrastructure is positively related to community support for tourism, and perceived tourism benefits and community satisfaction play a mediating role in this relationship. Findings of this study not only contribute to the tourism literature, but also provide significant implications for officials to develop policies for promoting tourism development.