This study investigates the participation of indigenous communities in conservation and tourism development projects, specifically focusing on the native people of Sabah, Malaysia. Using the motivation, opportunity, and ability model, we conceptualize a framework for understanding the factors that influence the participation choices of this community. The results suggest that knowledge and awareness (ability) and the perceived environmental and economic impacts of tourism (motivation) have positive effects on the participation of indigenous people. Moreover, the results of this study do not support an effect for opportunity or the perceived social impacts of tourism on participation.

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Purpose This paper aims to investigate the perceptions of indigenous people towards tourism development and the factors that influence their perceptions of the economic, social and environmental impacts of tourism. Design/methodology/approach This study will focus on the perceptions of an aboriginal group indigenous to Malaysia, and draws upon a sample of 272 from the Lower Kinabatangan region of Sabah, Malaysia. Respondents were administered a questionnaire, the results of which were analysed by way of partial least squares–structural equation modelling. Findings The results indicate a significant positive effect for economic gain on the perceived economic and environmental impacts of tourism, and of community involvement on the perception of social impacts. Moreover, the study found that the perception of environmental impacts, followed by perceived economic impacts, had a strong effect on support for tourism development. Originality/value This study makes a significant theoretical contribution to the resident perception literature by investigating how the perception of tourism impacts affects indigenous residents’ support for tourism development. Furthermore, this study describes a number of practical implications of this study for the promotion of sustainable tourism development among indigenous residents.

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