Community integration: A Case Study of Costa Smeralda, Italy

Abstract: Community integration is considered as one of the integral
components of tourism sustainability. This study analyzes the residents’
perceptions of the impact of tourism and community integration in
tourism planning in Costa Smeralda, a destination located in the island of
Sardinia, Italy. The study suggests that residents recognize, even if
slightly, the economic, environmental, and sociocultural benefits of
tourism and would like to support its further development in their area.
However, a low level of community integration was also found,
suggesting that policymakers should run internal marketing operations
based on the residents’ sociodemographic characteristics so that they feel
involved and committed to tourism planning and place branding