Resident’s Perceptions towards the Economic, Socio-Cultural, and Environmental Impacts of Tourism: A Case Study of Nathiagali, District Abbottabad, Pakistan

Abstract

The tourism industry poses both favorable and unfavorable consequences to the local communities of tourist
destinations. This study aims to analyze the economic, social, and environmental impacts of tourism on the host
community in Nathiagali. In this study, the data were collected through structured questionnaires from 200 residents of
the selected tourist destinations. The study applied factor analysis approach for empirical results. It is found that the
local community perceives positive and significant economic and social impacts from tourism in the form of job or
business opportunities, raising the standard of living and infrastructural development in the area. On the other hand,
tourism brings environmental threats including health hazards from air and noise pollution, environmental degradation,
and traffic congestion issues for the local community. Based on the results, it is recommended that appropriate policies
are needed at the government and local levels to get maximum benefits from tourism in Nathiagali, Pakistan.