Unveiling the influence of natural environment in urban tourism destinations on local community’s quality of life

Abstract

Purpose In the contemporary 21st century context, the issues of pollution, climate change and over tourism have emphasized that destination management organizations should focus on experiences and quality of life (QoL) of both locals and tourists. Concurrently, local community are actively seeking avenues for improving health and attaining inner peace, which has led to a notable inclination towards travelling to destinations rich with natural environment. This research paper aims to delve into the two intriguing dimensions of QoL, i.e. health and environment. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore the influence of the natural environment in urban tourism destinations on the QoL of local communities. Design/methodology/approach This research adopts a descriptive and exploratory approach, employing qualitative methods through semi-structured interviews with respondents. Thematic analysis, assisted by NVivo (12), was used to fulfil the aim of the study. Findings The findings of the study unveiled the themes, namely, aesthetic and recreational opportunities, elevated health and well-being, community cohesion, which highlight the influence of natural environment on QoL of community. Originality/value Since the inception of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a growing emphasis in research on the significance of the natural environment for individual well-being. Moreover, factors such as health, happiness and QoL contribute substantially to the overall ambiance of a destination.