The Impact of the Social Dimension of Sustainable Tourism Development on Local Community Satisfaction in Old Damascus

Abstract

Old Damascus is an important tourist destination and has Outstanding Universal Value for its rich resources, cultural heritage, and historical and civilizational diversity. This calls for their protection and preservation through adopting the concept of sustainable tourism and involving the local community to ensure its Satisfaction and the sustainable tourism development.

The research aims to study the impact of the social dimension of sustainable tourism development on local community satisfaction in Old Damascus. A random sample of residents was selected, (200) questionnaires were distributed, and (159) valid questionnaires were retrieved for analysis.

The results of this study showed that “local economic benefits, support for community, and access for all” indicators, ranked in order of importance, have an impact on local community satisfaction when all indicators exist. While “community involvement and awareness, and health, safety and security” indicators, have no impact on local community satisfaction when all indicators exist.

This implies the necessity of formulating a social plan to improve the quality of life for residents.