Community-based Tourism Enterprises Research Articles

Unpacking Key Sustainability Drivers for Sustainable Social Enterprises: A Community-Based Tourism Perspective

This study unpacked the key sustainability drivers for successful social enterprises or community-based tourism enterprises (CBTEs), based on a study of a Thailand’s Best Responsible Tourism award-winner at Sapphaya Community in Chai Nat Province. Using a grounded-theory qualitative case study, our key research objective is to gain insights into how community and enterprise leaders of a national award-winning CBTE in Thailand can generate value by revalorizing its cultural heritage and local assets to achieve sustainable community-based tourism. The research also explores how the CBTE can increase local engagement with multi-stakeholders. Our findings indicated two key sustainability drivers, including leadership and local engagement, for sustainable social enterprises. An emergent model of leadership and local engagement in driving the sustainability of CBTEs is proposed. It implies an importance of CBTE leadership as a critical factor that helps preserve community endowments (e.g., historical sites and cultural heritage) as well as develops social capital. The local engagement with a good sense of ownership and community participation is the key enabler toward sustainable tourism. The results also suggest how-to processes in cultivating sustainable social enterprises in practice and toward policy implications.

The role of formal tourism institutions in empowering communities: A case study of Visit Stellenbosch, South Africa

ABSTRACT Community-based tourism (CBT) shows promise for facilitating community empowerment, which may be enhanced when CBT enterprises are coupled with formal tourism institutions. Still, there is limited research on the role formal tourism institutions play in promoting resident participation in CBT development. This qualitative case study utilized content analysis of semi-structured interviews, archival documents, and data reporting on CBT initiatives in the communities of Stellenbosch Central, Kayamandi, Cloetesville, Kylemore, and Pniel. Results revealed that the formal tourism institution, Visit Stellenbosch was effectively brokering power between residents and CBT enterprises by: 1) providing access to municipal funding; 2) providing skills development, mentorship, and business support; 3) creating social networks, and; 4) creating invited spaces for participation. However, CBT development in Stellenbosch was characterized by complex power relationships. Nonparticipation due to geographic marginalization and signs of tokenism in resident participation in CBT development presented challenges to resident empowerment.

Causal relationship analysis of factors affecting the development of occupational standards for community based tourism enterprises in service competency

The objectives of this study are 1) to analyze the path of causal relationship influencing the development of occupational standards for community-based tourism enterprises in service competency, Phatthalung Province, Thailand. and 2) to examine the hypotheses of causal relationships of factors affecting the development of occupational standards for community-based tourism enterprises in service competency, Phatthalung Province, Thailand. The sample group consists of 220 community-based tourists visiting Phatthalung Province, Thailand, 220 causal variables influencing the development of occupational standards for community-based tourism enterprises in service competency, were obtained with the 10-time sampling size of the variables. The results showed that 1) the conceptual framework of causal relationship model, of factors affecting the development of occupational standards for community-based tourism enterprises in service competency, Phatthalung Province, Thailand. Consisted of only three variables that had direct effect; the tourist attitudes towards external factors, tourist behavior and their attitudes towards tourism factors.

Responsibility and Mindset of Tourist and Community-Based Tourism Enterprise to Conserve the Environment and Energy

The aim of the research is to assess the mindset, activities and the participation of communitybased tourism enterprises in the tourists’ awareness and behavior. Tourism has the significant impact in order to develop the guideline for organizing the activities and managing the community-based tourism in reflecting the responsible environment and energy linking character and behavior of tourists. We found a strong growth mindset of entrepreneur’s community as the key factor that affected on driving the participation of tourism management. Mindset was a significant mechanism to motivate and encourage sustainable tourism in the future. Finally, it represents the responsible environment and energy systematically.

Diagnosis of Administrative and Financial Processes in Community-Based Tourism Enterprises in Ecuador

In recent years, community-based tourism has become a source of income within indigenous and rural communities, either as a principal or complementary activity. However, the management of the administrative and financial processes of this type of enterprise was unknown. In this sense, this paper aims to analyze the state of these processes within the so-called Community-Based Tourism Enterprises (CBTEs) in the provinces of Pichincha, Napo, and Imbabura (Ecuador). For this purpose, a matrix was designed to collect information on the administrative and financial processes that an enterprise should have, detailing all their elements with their respective assessment. Also, an interview was administered to the 28 community leaders (one for each CBTE) to diagnose each issue of business management. In this diagnosis, it was concluded that, despite having a certificate from the Ministry of Tourism (MINTUR), the Community-Based Tourism Enterprises have not implemented important administrative and financial processes such as a strategic plan, operational plan, market study, cost analysis, process manual, market plan, initial situation, results status, final status, or financial indicators. Therefore, in the long term, this leads to poor management of business resources, which can result in the closure of these enterprises.

Motivational factors impacting rural community participation in community-based tourism enterprise in Lenggong Valley, Malaysia

ABSTRACT This study investigates factors motivating the participation of rural residents of Lenggong Valley, Malaysia, in community-based tourism enterprises (CBTEs). We used observation and focus group discussions to gain insights into the cognitive evaluation and social capital dimensions of local residents’ participation in CBTEs. Observations were made of 32 participants during their CBTE initiation, while 15 participants contributed to focus group discussions 12-months later. The findings suggest that self-determination and perceived competence were integral to residents’ continuous involvement and commitment in the CBTE project. We also found that strong social networks, trust in external groups, mutual cooperation, and shared goals were significant motivational factors for residents to participate in the project.

Integrating the third way and third space approaches in a post-colonial world: marketing strategies for the business sustainability of community-based tourism enterprises in Vietnam

ABSTRACT This study investigates the potential to integrate third way and third space approaches for marketing community-based tourism enterprises (CBTEs) in less-developed countries. The outcome of this integration is reflected in marketing strategies oriented towards the business sustainability of CBTEs in Vietnam. In particular, proposals on three aspects of CBTE marketing, including market segmentation, product design and development, and product communication and promotion, are illustrated. Through the proposed marketing strategies, the research contributes to CBT theory by showing that paradoxical CBT problem domains can be better addressed by integrating different ideological and developmental approaches. Additionally, the strategies provide evidence-based, practice-driven guidance for the extensively evaluated but insufficiently tackled marketing issues for CBTEs in Vietnam.

Collaborative marketing for the sustainable development of community-based tourism enterprises: voices from the field

ABSTRACTThis paper examines stakeholder engagement in the collaborative marketing of community-based tourism enterprises (CBTEs). The study explored the various collaborative marketing approaches shaped by diverse stakeholders’ perspectives on ways to achieve the sustainable development of CBTEs in Vietnam. The results of 30 in-depth, semi-structured interviews from three CBTEs in Vietnam showed that three collaborative marketing approaches were prevailed among CBTE stakeholders and were categorised as commercial viability-driven, community development-driven and balanced approaches. The approaches’ differences were reflected in the marketing objectives to achieve CBTE sustainability, the central linkages of CBTE collaborative marketing, and the facilitators of stakeholder collaboration. The research found a knowledge gap between researchers and research participants and divergent perspectives among different categories of research participants regarding marketing and CBTE sustainability. This paper implies the role of a knowledge co-production approach to drive the stakeholder engagement in CBTE collaborative marketing for CBTEs’ long-term success. Additionally, this study provides insights into the discussion of marketing for sustainable tourism. Furthermore, the findings contribute to a better understanding of the collaborative approach at the organisational level.

Paths to the market: analysing tourism distribution channels for community-based tourism

ABSTRACTThis research investigates distribution channels as a critical business mechanism for community-based tourism (CBT) by connecting CBT enterprises to the market. Specifically, the paper is guided by the research question of how the paths to the market can be improved for a culture and heritage-focused CBT enterprise in Cambodia. In addressing this question, the paper explores both the distribution channels structure and the key influencing factors behind the observed structure. The paper is informed by 21 interviews which were conducted with respondents from Banteay Chhmar CBT, key intermediaries, non-governmental organisations, local and central government, and CBT experts. The examination of the distribution channel structure reveals considerable channel diversity, which sees both direct and a variety of indirect channels included in the distribution mix. Due to the community-guided nature of the CBT project, intermediaries had a very strong presence in the distribution structure and maintained both direct and multi-layered indirect channels with consumers. Five factors were identified to underlie the observed distribution structure: commissionable product, product characteristics and market access, information and communication technology, partnership issues, and community capacity. Based on these findings, a range of recommendations are proposed that seek to improve the distribution-channels-related economic sustainability of the CBT project.

Collaborative marketing for the sustainable development of community-based tourism enterprises: a reconciliation of diverse perspectives

ABSTRACTCollaborative marketing for the sustainable development of community-based tourism enterprises (CBTEs) is subject to diverse stakeholder perspectives and a complex mix of factors determining collaboration success. This research investigates a framework supporting stakeholder collaborations in marketing CBTEs for sustainable development. The proposed framework is an outcome of the process of reconciling divergent perspectives in CBTE collaborative marketing using a knowledge co-production approach. Particularly, knowledge interactions between researchers and research participants to achieve a synthesis of perspectives in developing a collaborative marketing approach for the sustainable development of CBTEs in Vietnam were investigated. The knowledge interaction occurred in the form of a workshop that included 15 CBTE stakeholders and the first author and was undertaken in the village of Triem Tay (Vietnam). Through the workshop, a collaborative marketing framework for CBTE sustainability was identified. The framework stated the reasons for the divergence of perspectives on CBTE collaborative marketing for sustainable development: limited understanding of involved stakeholders; individuality in collective efforts; stakeholder self-righteousness; and contextual factors. Accordingly, the framework identified four attributes supporting stakeholders collaborations in marketing CBTEs for sustainable development: improved and right-directed perspectives of CBTE stakeholders; a set of rules governing stakeholder interventions; government involvement in CBTE collaborative marketing in the roles of an inspirer and an arbitrator; and the transformation from successful tour operators to social entrepreneurship to facilitate CBTE collaborative marketing. The contribution of this study lies in the potential of a knowledge co-production approach to be utilised in collaborative works involving multiple perspectives. Additionally, the study provides insights into the discussion of community-based tourism collaboration.

Strengthening Community-Based Tourism in a new resource-based island nation: Why and how?

A manifestation of early destination development, Community-Based Tourism (CBT) enterprises have been emerging across Timor-Leste as a rural development strategy. In the context of this fledgling and oil revenue dependent nation, CBT enterprises will need to overcome various challenges if they are to fulfil their potential. The present paper explores stakeholder perceptions towards the prospective shape and structure of a nationwide CBT network using a multi-stage qualitative research approach. Respondents broadly agreed that a CBT network can support the development of tourism and help enterprises to confront the challenges of deficient knowledge, funding and marketing, prospectively improving rural livelihoods. The researchers consider neo-colonial, social economy and community development perspectives when applying the prospective CBT model in a resource dependent developing country setting. The success of a CBT network relies on an authoritative funding body and on communications between managers and stakeholders that maintains a balance of power.

Governance, Capacity and Devolution of Community based Tourism Enterprises in Namibia: Emerging Insights for Human Development

Governance, Capacity and Devolution of Community based Tourism Enterprises in Namibia: Emerging Insights for Human Development

Can Community-Based tourism enterprises alleviate poverty? toward a new organization

Recently tourism in general and community-based tourism in particular are being touted as means to generate income and alleviate poverty. This article attempts to investigate the extent to which community-based tourism enterprises (CBTEs) are able to alleviate poverty using data gathered from four CBTEs in Mopani District Municipality of the limpopo in South Africa. The study is essentially qualitative in design. Face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions were used to collect data. A thematic approach was used to analyze them. The study shows that the types of jobs that were created by the CBTEs now are low-level, menial, nonpermanent types of jobs. The poor absorptive capacity of new labor of these enterprises means that many people in the community remain unemployed for as long as alternative modes of employment are not found. However, communities learned about conservation, cooking and knitting, and community-building practices. A key contribution of this article is a new Social learning and Change (SlC) organization as a necessary form of tourism organization to meet the challenges of developing countries in their quest to alleviate poverty using CBTE as strategy. It is an SlC initiative (perhaps a new CBO), consisting of multiple players. It may involve the creation of civic corporation/civic NGO/civic government consistent with SlC in which the issue and not the organization matters. It is about job creation, community cohesion, community development, inclusion, and empowerment.

Community Corporate Joint Ventures: An Alternative Model for Pro-Poor Tourism Development

Particularly in light of the 2000 United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), governments, multilateral aid agencies, non-government organizations (NGOs) and local communities are increasingly “harnessing” tourism for poverty alleviation in lesser development countries (LDCs). In the case of the Yucatan Peninsula, rural Maya communities have had little opportunity for participation in the tourism industry beyond low wage labour in the Mexican Caribbean tourist poles. Yet, tourist demand for “authentic” experiences is strong enough to suggest that community-based rural tourism among the Maya could potentially achieve the pro-poor tourism (PPT) objective of channelling tourism earnings to low-wealth villages. The purpose of this article is to present a conceptual framework for a community corporate joint venture to achieve this PPT objective. In this article we discuss the conventional model for tourism development and present an alternative model for community-based rural tourism enterprises. This model, created from a broader rural development program that was successfully pilot tested by the authors, is applied in the case of collectively owned Mexican ejido lands in the Yucatan Peninsula but also has applicability for alternative tourism ventures in other collective land tenure contexts.

Community-based tourism enterprises: challenges and prospects for community participation; Khama Rhino Sanctuary Trust, Botswana

This study assesses community participation in a community-based tourism enterprise in Botswana, the Khama Rhino Sanctuary Trust, founded in 1992. Data were collected using structured and semi-structured questionnaires, interviews with key stakeholders and community focus group discussions. Results indicate that although Community-Based Natural Resource Management is popular in many southern African nations, communities still face challenges and constraints which hinder their participation in community-based enterprises. While some other studies in Botswana indicate the value of community-based tourism, 95% of adult residents in the Khama Rhino Sanctuary Trust area did not know who owned the Trust, and 98% had never been to the Trust's lands. There was community disappointment about loss of cattle grazing and other land-related benefits, lack of communication with the community, lack of benefits, the low numbers employed and the slow progress of the project which did not record a profit until 2008. But the Trust now has over 25% of the rhinos in Botswana and has seen visitor numbers rise from 1820 in 1996 to over 21,000 in 2008. Suggestions for the future include appointment of a community liaison officer, training for local people in tourism and management and use of single-community rather than multi-community trusts.

Community-based tourism in Cape Verde - a case study

Community-based tourism is taking its place in the world as an alternative to traditional tourist destinations, especially in developing countries. This form of tourism allows for greater contact with the local community and for the tourist to experience new sensations while enabling the economic and social development of the geographic area. In this paper, the results of fieldwork carried out in the island of Fogo (Cape Verde) are presented, assessing the opinion and perception tourists visiting this island have of both the quality of the services offered by community-based tourism enterprises, as well as the potential of the tourism resources in the area. The main results of the investigation endorse the quality of services offered to tourists by local businesses and highlight the hospitality of the local community, a key element for the development of this kind of tourism, particularly in different african countries. Similarly, it highlights the passenger satisfaction with services received and the need to strengthen the training to tourism staff through aid, for example, international cooperation, NGOs and universities. The originality of this research comes from analysis of the demand made on a concrete island of Cape Verde, a country which is producing a huge economic development through the tourism sector.

Community-based tourism as a sustainable solution to maximise impacts locally? The Tsiseb Conservancy case, Namibia

Based on an in-depth field study in a rural area of Namibia, this article assesses the potential contribution of community-based tourism enterprises (CBTEs) to poverty alleviation and empowerment. It shows that tourism income captured locally improves rural households' livelihoods and generates linkages in the local economy. On the job learning, training sessions and extensive support by non-governmental organisations and donors are further shown to empower rural actors and unlock socioeconomic opportunities for the future. In this context, CBTEs can be characterised as pro-poor initiatives. However, this article provides counter evidence that the sustainability of such community tourism ventures is to be questioned. First, mainstreaming these projects within the competitive tourism commodity chain proves highly challenging and costly; second, communities' institutional and managerial capacity is weak and thus CBTEs' viability is limited; finally, inadequate support by donors and non-governmental organisations fails to tackle challenges faced by community tourism ventures.

Tourism in the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park

The Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park (GLTP) is a transboundary protected area that straddles the borders of Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe. The park's development was partly motivated by the ecological objective of re-establishing traditional migratory wildlife routes once fences between the three countries are dismantled. Besides biodiversity conservation benefits, the park may also provide a basis to generate revenue for conservation and local economic development through tourism. This paper describes current state and private sector tourism within the GLTP and planning initiatives that may promote responsible tourism, and describes the achievements by community-based tourism enterprises and public–private partnerships in generating economic, social and environmental benefits. The livelihoods of people living in the park are outlined in relation to government policies on land redistribution, resettlement and options for the future, and progress in biodiversity conservation and responsible nature-based tourism development within the GLTP over the past five years is evaluated. 1Research Fellow, Transboundary Protected Areas Research Initiative, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. This research was supported by the BMW Chair for Sustainability, University of the Witwatersrand and the Transboundary Protected Areas Research Initiative (TPARI), an IUCN-SA programme funded through the Centre for the Integrated Study of the Human Dimensions of Global Change, Carnegie Mellon University, by way of a co-operative agreement with the National Science Foundation (SBR-9521914). Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendation expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation or Carnegie Mellon. The author would like to thank the anonymous reviewers who commented on a draft of this paper. This paper is largely drawn from Spenceley (2005); the full paper is available at http://www.anna.spenceley.co.uk/files/Tourism%20InvestmentGLTFCAMar05.pdf