The value of Community-based Tourism in sustainable local economic development
Location
Gran Canaria
Participation
Not sure
Type of Submission
Paper Presentation
Short Abstract
The study investigated the value of Community-based tourism (CBT) in sustainable local economic development. The focus is on how to utilise Cultural Heritage Tourism as a pillar of Community-based tourism in a form of community involvement and participation, which is currently seen as minimal if not inexistent. CBT is defined as “tourism owned and/or managed by communities and intended to deliver wider community benefit, benefiting a wider group than those employed in the initiative”. CBT can also be defined as a form of tourism where the local community has substantial control over and involvement in its development and management and where a major proportion of the benefits remain within the community. CBT is perceived as an alternative method of tourism development which is envisaged to generate and grow opportunities, resulting in benefiting the local community members if it is properly managed. In addition, it can be part of the answer to both tourism project managers and communities as it presents positive social, economic and environmental rewards by means of capacity building and empowerment in a sustainable manner. A mix-method was adopted for this study. Semi-structured interviews including a survey through questionnaires distribution to Mapungubwe World Heritage Site Descendants community. Findings revealed that communities are of the view that Cultural Heritage Tourism should be used to re-instate the connection and dignity of the communities through community involvement and participation, which is currently perceived as minimal if not inexistent. The findings further revealed that custodians of the culture that has gained universal value wish to be part of the activities that are taking place in the site, also be involved in decision making process as per the CBT definition and lastly, benefit from the proceed derived from the site. The lack of involvement and participation of the communities, including poor management of projects of this kind could degrade the value of CBT, further contribute to the failure of initiated CBT projects and eventually compromise the desired sustainable local economic development outcomes. Securing a well-developed CBT project and a skilled & knowledgeable management team is highly recommended because the value of Community-based Tourism will be enhanced.
The value of Community-based Tourism in sustainable local economic development
Gran Canaria
The study investigated the value of Community-based tourism (CBT) in sustainable local economic development. The focus is on how to utilise Cultural Heritage Tourism as a pillar of Community-based tourism in a form of community involvement and participation, which is currently seen as minimal if not inexistent. CBT is defined as “tourism owned and/or managed by communities and intended to deliver wider community benefit, benefiting a wider group than those employed in the initiative”. CBT can also be defined as a form of tourism where the local community has substantial control over and involvement in its development and management and where a major proportion of the benefits remain within the community. CBT is perceived as an alternative method of tourism development which is envisaged to generate and grow opportunities, resulting in benefiting the local community members if it is properly managed. In addition, it can be part of the answer to both tourism project managers and communities as it presents positive social, economic and environmental rewards by means of capacity building and empowerment in a sustainable manner. A mix-method was adopted for this study. Semi-structured interviews including a survey through questionnaires distribution to Mapungubwe World Heritage Site Descendants community. Findings revealed that communities are of the view that Cultural Heritage Tourism should be used to re-instate the connection and dignity of the communities through community involvement and participation, which is currently perceived as minimal if not inexistent. The findings further revealed that custodians of the culture that has gained universal value wish to be part of the activities that are taking place in the site, also be involved in decision making process as per the CBT definition and lastly, benefit from the proceed derived from the site. The lack of involvement and participation of the communities, including poor management of projects of this kind could degrade the value of CBT, further contribute to the failure of initiated CBT projects and eventually compromise the desired sustainable local economic development outcomes. Securing a well-developed CBT project and a skilled & knowledgeable management team is highly recommended because the value of Community-based Tourism will be enhanced.
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/itsa/ITSA2022/ITSA2022/62