Stakeholder Perceptions of Rural Tourism and Sustainable Development in the “Banatul Montan” Region, Romania

The sustainable development of tourism can contribute to the diversification of local economies, job creation, and the valorization of natural and cultural heritage. The study analyses the perceived role of rural tourism in the sustainable development of mountain communities through an approach that involves multiple stakeholders and integrates the perspectives of tourists, economic operators, and local authorities. This manuscript aims to connect tourists’ experiences with the problems encountered in the economic activities of tourism operators and the involvement of local authorities in supporting the sustainable development of mountain communities through tourism in the Banatul Montan region. The analysis, conducted between 12 May and 1 July 2026, included three non-probability samples from the Banatul Montan region: 260 tourists, 64 economic operators, and 31 representatives of local authorities. The research is based on a cross-sectional, exploratory, associative, and multi-actor approach. The methodology consisted of developing and administering three distinct questionnaires addressed to tourists, economic operators, and representatives of local public authorities. The results obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics, scale reliability assessment through Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, as well as correlation analyses and ordinal logistic regressions. The conclusions indicate that the results highlight a descriptive contrast between the perspectives of the three groups, without metric equivalence or a statistical demonstration of differences. The analysis keeps the experiential, operational, and institutional levels distinct and does not allow causal inferences. The study results may serve as a basis for informing sustainable development strategies for the region, aiming to improve residents’ quality of life and tourists’ satisfaction in the mountain area analyzed.