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2026 - Volume 9 - Number 1

Involving the Local Community in Sport Tourism Development: Physical, Mental, and Cognitive Benefits as a Foundation for Sustainable Development

Wael Mugrabi * ORCID: 0009-0003-1422-8735
South-West University “Neofit Rilski”, Faculty of Economics, Department of Management, Blagoevgrad, BULGARIA

Open Journal for Research in Economics, 2026, 9(1), 1-10 * https://doi.org/10.32591/coas.ojre.0901.01001m
Received: 7 February 2026 ▪ Revised: 13 April 2026 ▪ Accepted: 26 April 2026

LICENCE: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

ARTICLE (Full Text - PDF)

ABSTRACT:

This article examines the importance of involving the local community in the development of sport tourism, with a focus on the multidimensional benefits of sport and physical education. The study investigates how sport activity contributes to the physical, mental, social, and cognitive well-being of local community residents, and how these benefits can serve as a foundation for sustainable sport tourism development. Through a comprehensive literature review, the article presents the close relationship between physical education, public health, and community development. It demonstrates that investment in sport infrastructure and physical education programs serves as a dual lever: both improving residents' quality of life and attracting sports tourists. The article is based on a doctoral study examining the development of a sport tourism village in Ein Qiniyya, located in the Israeli Golan Heights.

KEY WORDS: sport tourism; community involvement; physical education; mental well-being; cognitive abilities; sustainable development; Golan Heights.

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR:
Wael Mugrabi, South-West University “Neofit Rilski”, Faculty of Economics, Department of Management, Blagoevgrad, BULGARIA.

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