| Summary: | 碩士 === 國立屏東科技大學 === 熱帶農業暨國際合作系 === 103 === Tourism development is widely perceived as a significant set of economic activities to enhance local economies. Tourism has huge economic benefits for host countries and tourists’ home countries. Simultaneously, tourism also brings negative impacts for destinations. In Mongolia, tourism is the third most important economic sector after agriculture and mining.It is playing a vital role contributing to economic growth and raising the standard of living. However, due to the poor redistribution of public funds, tourism-related tax revenue does not necessarily go back to the regions or places where tourism activities were organized. For that reason, the sharing of tourism benefit in total inflow is quite low, tourist destinations are still underdeveloped and local residents are also unable to receive benefits directly.Therefore, the main goal of this research was to better understand how local residents perceive economic impacts of tourism on household livelihood and region’s development in Kharkhorin, Mongolia.For thispurpose, this research investigated a relationship between socio-demographic variables as well as determinants of the respondents and perceived economic impacts in considering both the benefits and costs of tourism development. Based on the objectives and the research framework, three research questions were presented and tested. In order to collect primary data for this research, aresident household survey based on stratified random sampling method was conducted from January to February in year 2014. Using a hand-deliveredquestionnaire, only one adult person per household interviewed to represent the family’s opinion.From 400 respondents, a total of 390 fully completed questionnaires were collected which representing 97% response rate.Responses to the statements were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, V.20) software.
One way ANOVA and Independent sample t-test were employed to examine the first question; whether there are significant differences ofdemographic variables ineconomic impacts oftourism. The results showed that statistically significant differences have been found in residents’ gender, education, occupation, household income and no statistically significant difference wasfound in residents’ age group.
Principal Component Factor analysis with varimax rotation was employed to determine the second question; what is the underlying dimensions explaining the perceived economic impacts of tourism? Itsupported two factors: economic benefits and economic costswith each factor having a satisfactory level of reliability. Among the two factors, the economic benefit accounts for 42.82% of total variances, which is much higher than the factor of economic costs.
Multiple regression analysis was employed to investigate the last question; whether there are significant differences between determinants and underlying dimensions of tourism economic impacts. The findings indicated that residents could have a different perception about the economic benefits and costs of tourism development, according to their determinants. It suggeststhat residents who were not born in the research area, who do not work in tourism industry, and who have less travel experience, could have more concerns about the economic costs of tourism.
In general, the findings of this research identified that residents of Kharkhorin have positive perceptions toward tourism economic impacts. It is assumed that residents believe that the development of tourism in Kharkhorin brings more benefits than costs to local residents.In conclusion, the empirical implication of this research should be highlighted as it enhances the current knowledge about residents’ perceptions of tourism economic impacts in arural destination with moderate level of tourism development. The practical implication of this research should be providedto those responsible for tourism policy makers. It is a vital for the tourism industry to recognize which variables influence residents in being more positive towards tourism, in order to achieve sustainable development of the industry.
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