The local community and tourism are closely linked. Tourism significantly affects the life of the local population, while the local community plays a key role in the development of tourism as an important stakeholder in the tourist destination. The impact of tourism on the local community can be diverse. For some, it is a tool for stimulating economic growth and reducing poverty, while for others, it can have negative consequences. The local community is a key player in the development of tourism at the destination. The active participation of the local community ensures the preservation of local culture and resources, and strengthens the community's identity. The participation of the local population in planning and decision-making processes contributes to the sustainable development of tourism that is in line with the real needs and interests of the local community. The conducted research sought to find out what role the local community really plays in managing the tourist development of the city of Split. For this purpose, a survey questionnaire was designed to examine the opinions and attitudes of the residents of the city of Split on the role of the local community and the actual state of citizens' involvement in tourism processes. The results of empirical research indicate that the involvement of the local community of the city of Split in participatory processes is at a low level. The majority of respondents have never participated in participatory activities on tourism development and are not familiar with the possibilities of participation. The results indicated the absence of real participation of the local population in tourism development planning, where development decisions are mostly made by local authorities without consulting the community. The obtained results show the need to increase the level of involvement of the local population in the decision-making process and the necessity of forming mechanisms that would facilitate the involvement of citizens. In this way, policies and plans become aligned with the needs of the community, which in the long run contributes to the prosperity and sustainable development of the community. By achieving adequate cooperation between local authorities and the community, it is possible to achieve a balance between the needs of development and the quality of life of local residents.