Exploring the perceived impacts of All-for-One tourism development: insights from Shaanxi Province, China

Purpose This study investigates residents’ perceptions of tourism impacts under China’s “All-for-One Tourism” initiative, an integrated model promoting regional coordination and sustainable development. Despite its growing implementation, limited research has explored how residents evaluate its multidimensional effects. Using Shaanxi Province as a case, this study examines how demographic and contextual factors influence residents’ perceptions of positive and negative tourism impacts, thereby providing an empirical understanding of community responses to integrated tourism development and offering insights into the social sustainability of this national policy initiative. Design/methodology/approach Survey data were collected from 511 residents across ten cities in Shaanxi Province, one of the earliest All-for-One Tourism pilot regions. Using validated measures of perceived economic, environmental, cultural and daily life impacts, both positive and negative, multiple regression models were applied to identify the effects of residents’ sociodemographic and locational characteristics on their perceptions. Reliability analyses confirmed the internal consistency of measurement scales. The analysis was grounded in Social Exchange Theory (SET), which emphasizes individuals’ evaluations of tourism development through perceived benefits and costs. Findings Results indicate that residents generally hold favorable perceptions of All-for-One Tourism, particularly regarding cultural and economic benefits. Education level and residency duration significantly influence perceptions, with more educated and long-term residents reporting stronger positive impacts. However, prolonged exposure to tourism development intensifies awareness of negative effects, especially in economic, environmental and cultural dimensions. Residents working in tourism-related industries report more negative cultural and daily life impacts, while younger individuals and males perceive more negative environmental and economic consequences, respectively. These findings highlight the heterogeneous social dynamics shaping tourism perceptions. Originality/value This study provides one of the empirical investigations of residents’ perceptions within the context of China’s All-for-One Tourism initiative, an emerging model of integrated regional tourism development. By linking SET with multidimensional impact assessment, it advances understanding of how demographic and contextual factors shape both positive and negative evaluations of tourism. The study extends conventional tourism impact research beyond single-destination contexts to a broader, policy-driven regional framework. Its findings provide valuable implications for designing inclusive, community-oriented strategies that enhance the social sustainability of large-scale tourism integration.