Nature-based tourism development in Hong Kong: Importance–Performance perceptions of local residents and tourists

• Demand- and supply-side models are generated based on user satisfaction with nature-based tourism development in Hong Kong.
• Importance-Performance Analysis shows generally satisfactory conditions for nature-based tourism development in Hong Kong.
• Tourists are more concerned about factors affecting travel products, logistics and quality of the destination development.
• Local people hold more elements in terms of socio-cultural and environmental sustainability of nature-based tourism.

This paper discusses the potential and the sustainability of developing nature-based tourism in Hong Kong based on local resident and tourist perspectives. Two separate demand-side and supply-side indicator sets are empirically tested with two samples of Hong Kong residents (n = 97) and tourists (n = 93). Both the levels of importance and performance of these indicators are rated by the respondents, and the importance–performance differences are verified. Two resultant grids from the Importance–Performance Analysis (IPA) present the condition of nature-based tourism in Hong Kong. The performance scores are further entered into regression analysis, which generates two separate demand-side and supply-side models revealing the satisfaction of the locals and the tourists. The findings offer both theoretical construct and policy recommendations for the development and sustainability of nature-based tourism in Hong Kong.