Can local tours disperse tourists from city centres?

This study evaluates the effectiveness of decentralizing tourists by promoting alternative local-guided tours. Results from a discrete choice experiment among young travellers indicate that while culinary tours are preferred over central attractions, overall, visitors demonstrated strong tendency to visit main attractions. Furthermore, labelled as sustainable were perceived less attractive. The implies inter-city dispersal strategies rely on ‘soft interventions’ may only be effective certain individuals and unlikely lead substantial changes in tourist behaviour. For effective, local authorities should consider developing comprehensive tourism attractions amenities.