Community capacity building and indigenous tourism in Iran

Abstract

ABSTRACT Enhancing community capacity is crucial for sustaining tourism benefits in marginalized areas, yet remains underexplored. This study focuses on community capacity building in a nomadic community in Iran, utilizing qualitative methods. Twenty participants, including locals and tourism stakeholders, were interviewed. Thematic analysis revealed key factors like governance, social capital, and community cohesion impacting capacity building. Challenges such as distance from power centers and cultural biases hindered progress. The research highlights the significance of factors like local leadership and access to resources in bolstering community capacity for sustainable tourism development. Addressing obstacles like religious biases and nomadic lifestyles is crucial for effective capacity building in marginalized communities. The study offers significant practical and theoretical implications for tourism industry stakeholders.