Empowering Communities and Advancing Sustainable Eco-Tourism: The Intermediary Function of Community Support for Eco-Tourism

Despite the literature on community empowerment and sustainable eco-tourism development (SETD), few studies have examined the mechanisms that connect these factors. This study explores the relationship between community empowerment and SETD while assessing the mediating role of community support for tourism. Social exchange theory provides the framework for understanding key factors in SETD. An empirical survey was conducted with 392 northern Tanzania residents from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA). The analysis revealed a significant correlation between community empowerment and sustainable eco-tourism activities, with community support partially mediating the relationship. Findings suggest that enhanced community empowerment fosters successful eco-tourism development, primarily through local support for eco-tourism initiatives. This study contributes to the theory by highlighting the crucial role of community support in linking empowerment to sustainable tourism practices in local contexts.