**3. Method**

The study sample is made up of the villages located within the National Parks' zone of socio-economic influence. The selection was based on the zoning set out in the Master Plan of the National Park Network [61]. The sample totals 169 villages. The questionnaire was sent by email to the highest representatives of the town halls (mayors) and the answers were collected through a google form. In a second round to increase the number of responses, a telephone call was made to those town halls in the towns where there was no response. In the end, 75 responses were obtained, representing 44.38% of the total initial sample. Of the fifteen National Parks, three of them did not receive any answer (Cabrera, Tablas de Daimiel and Timanfaya). The most collaborative National Park was Islas Atlánticas; to a lesser extent, Teide (See Table 2). The fieldwork was carried out in November 2019.


**Table 2.** Statistics of Spanish National Parks.

The indicators of the socio-economic development of the villages have been those detailed below (see Table 3). Some of these variables were already used in studies such as those by Mosammam et al. [62], Woo et al. [63] and Risti´c et al. [13].

IBM SPSS Statistics Version 21.0 was used to perform a descriptive analysis of the data. In addition, this software was used to check the normality of the data.

The proposed model was analysed by modelling structural equations using Partial Least Squares (PLS). This is one of the most used methodologies when the cause-e ffect relationships need to be analysed [7,64,65] since it informs us of the sign and intensity of these relationships. A PLS path model consists in two components. Firstly, there is a structural model (the inner model) which illustrates the specified constructs and focuses on the relationships (paths) between them. Secondly, the measurement models (the outer models) show the relationships between the factors (constructs) and the indicators. While structural and measurement models are present in all types of SEMs with latent constructs, the weighting scheme represents the third specific component of the PLS approach and is used for estimating the inner weights linking latent constructs [66].

#### **Table 3.** Questionnaire used to collect the data 1.

#### **Perception of Economic Development (ED)**

ED1. The level of wealth of the village, in general, has increased since the declaration of the N. Park

ED2. The village has a greater number of services related to tourism (directly or indirectly)

ED3. The subsidies received have led to an improvement in the environment in terms of signalling

ED4. You think the number of tourists in your area has increased

ED5. The municipality has increased its recreational use and has more tourist activities

ED6. Conflicts exist between tourism and the exploitation of activities related to agriculture and livestock, mineral extraction... (primary sector)

#### **Perception of Social Development (SD)**

SD1. The number of residents in the village has been maintained

SD2. Local culture and traditions have been preserved

SD3. The culture and traditions of your village are exploited as a tourist attraction

SD4. Conflicts have arisen between tourism and residents (noise, waste...)

#### **Perception of Quality of Life (QL)**

QL1. The subsidies received have led to an improvement in the area of residence in terms of infrastructure for travel to the area

QL2. An improvement in communication technologies has been noted, with greater mobile phone coverage and greater data transmission capacity

QL3. Residents would not prefer to live in another community

QL4. Since the declaration of the National Park, e fficiency in resource consumption has been enhanced. For example, promoting the use of renewable energy systems to save water consumption

QL5. Residents are more environmentally friendly

QL6. You have improved the quality of life of the residents of your village

#### **Perception of Global Satisfaction (SG)**

GS1. Residents are more aware of the opportunity for the town to be in the National Park's zone of influence

GS2. The expectations generated by economic and social opportunities due to the proximity to a National Park have been fulfilled

GS3. The park has meant that the residents of this town are proud to live in this community and not in another

GS4. The park has meant that local customs and traditions are still alive

GS5. Rate your overall satisfaction with the declaration of National Park, by the economic impact it has had on your village

1 The following instructions were given in the questionnaire heading: Please answer briefly or rate on a scale of 1 to 7 your perception of the impact of tourism exploitation and public use of the National Park near your village over the past 10 years.
