SPORT TOURISM AS A DRIVER OF SUSTAINABLE RURAL DEVELOPMENT: COMMUNITY PERCEPTIONS AND STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS

Sport tourism has emerged as a strategic tool for revitalizing rural economies, particularly in island territories where dependence on conventional tourism creates challenges of seasonality and economic concentration. Understanding how residents perceive its impacts is essential to assess community support and ensure long-term sustainability. This study aimed to analyze residents’ perceptions of the economic, sociocultural, and environmental impacts of sport tourism in rural municipalities of Gran Canaria (Spain), offering insights into how these perceptions influence their willingness to support further tourism development. A structured questionnaire, adapted from previously validated scales, was administered to 110 residents across 12 rural municipalities. The instrument measured perceived impacts (economic, sociocultural, and environmental) and community support, using five-point Likert-type items. In addition to descriptive analyses, psychometric validation was conducted through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Finally, a structural equation model (SEM) was developed with JASP to test the predictive relationships between perceived impacts and residents’ support for sport tourism. Findings revealed that economic impacts, such as job creation, local business growth, and commercial revitalization, were positively and significantly associated with community support. In contrast, sociocultural and environmental impacts were not statistically significant predictors. This pattern may be explained by the region’s long-standing exposure to tourism, which has normalized social and ecological changes and reduced their salience in residents’ perceptions. These results reinforce Social Exchange Theory, indicating that residents are more likely to support tourism initiatives when they perceive tangible economic benefits. The study highlights the need for participatory planning processes and regulatory frameworks that include community voices and safeguard natural resources. Strengthening inclusivity and sustainability in sport tourism policies can help maximize local benefits for rural island regions while reducing potential long-term risks.