Community-based Tourism Initiatives Research Articles

Exploring a fuzzy relationships among criteria for the development of community-based tourism in Malaysia: a multi-stakeholder perspective

PurposeThe purpose of the study was to identify and analyze the fuzzy relationships among criteria for the development of community-based tourism (CBT) in Malaysia through a multi-stakeholder lens. By exploring these relationships, the study aimed to provide valuable insights for stakeholders and policymakers to enhance the sustainability and effectiveness of CBT initiatives in Malaysia. The focus was on understanding the interplay between environmental, economic and socio-cultural criteria to guide decision-making and planning processes for sustainable tourism development.Design/methodology/approachThe study utilized a quantitative approach, specifically employing a fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) model known as decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL). This methodology allowed for the integration of diverse perspectives from multiple stakeholders involved in CBT in Malaysia. By using DEMATEL, the researchers were able to analyze the complex relationships among sustainable criteria, identify causal factors and assess the interdependencies among environmental, economic and socio-cultural dimensions. The approach aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the criteria influencing the sustainability of CBT development in Malaysia.FindingsThe findings of the study revealed that environmental and economic factors emerged as pivotal causal criteria influencing socio-cultural outcomes in the development of CBT in Malaysia. The research highlighted the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in building sustainability in CBT, emphasizing the need for regular meetings, shared decision-making processes and clear communication channels among all involved parties. These insights empower stakeholders to make informed decisions and prioritize criteria for sustainable CBT development, ultimately contributing to the well-being of communities, preservation of natural and cultural heritage, and long-term environmental sustainability.Research limitations/implicationsThe study's limitations include the focus on CBT in Malaysia, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other contexts. Additionally, the research relied on a quantitative approach, potentially overlooking qualitative nuances in stakeholder perspectives. Future studies could address these limitations by exploring diverse geographical locations and incorporating qualitative methods to capture a more comprehensive understanding of sustainable criteria in CBT development. These implications suggest opportunities for further research to validate and extend the findings in different contexts and with a broader range of stakeholder perspectives.Practical implicationsThe practical implications of the study include providing guidance for tourism policymakers and key stakeholders in developing effective policy interventions for CBT in Malaysia. By understanding the complex relationships among sustainable criteria, stakeholders can make informed decisions to foster environmental, economic and socio-cultural growth in CBT initiatives. The findings offer insights for creating economic opportunities, promoting fair trade practices and enhancing linkages between CBT and local businesses. These practical implications aim to support sustainable decision-making, planning processes and implementation strategies to ensure the long-term success and positive impact of CBT in Malaysia.Social implicationsThe social implications of the study underscore the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in CBT development in Malaysia. By engaging various stakeholders, including host communities, government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and tourists, the research promotes social cohesion, cultural exchange and community empowerment. Enhancing social interactions and mutual understanding among stakeholders can lead to inclusive decision-making processes, equitable distribution of benefits and the preservation of local heritage and traditions. These social implications emphasize the potential for CBT to contribute to social well-being, cultural preservation and sustainable development, fostering positive social impacts and strengthening community resilience.Originality/valueThe originality and value of the study lie in its exploration of the complex relationships among sustainable criteria for CBT development in Malaysia from a multi-stakeholder perspective. By utilizing the DEMATEL method and quantitative analysis, the research offers a novel approach to understanding the causal factors influencing environmental, economic and socio-cultural outcomes in CBT initiatives. The study's findings provide valuable insights for stakeholders and policymakers to make informed decisions, prioritize criteria and develop effective strategies for sustainable CBT development. This original contribution enhances the understanding of sustainable criteria relationships and empowers stakeholders to drive positive change in the tourism sector.

The Impact of Community-Based Tourism on Human-Jaguar Interactions in Central Amazonia

ABSTRACT Tourism has been indicated as an economic alternative to alleviate the burdens of human–wildlife conflicts. Our objective was to investigate the effects of community-based tourism and research on traditional communities’ interactions with jaguars. This study was carried out in Mamirauá Reserve in the Brazilian Amazon, where a community-based tourism initiative operates and community-based research projects take place. One hundred and two semi-structured interviews were conducted in local communities between February 2020 and November 2021. General linear models were used to test if involvement with tourism or community-based research affected the measured variables. Where tourism was present, tolerance toward jaguars was higher. Areas where tourism and research were present had more positive attitudes toward jaguars, as well as a lower intention to kill jaguars. Our findings suggest that community-based tourism-related activities and research projects have had a positive effect on local human-jaguar relationships, improving tolerance and attitudes toward jaguars.

Applying the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework to Examine the Efficacy of Community-Based Tourism at Equitably Promoting Local Livelihood Opportunities

ABSTRACT Community-based tourism (CBT) projects often fail to enhance rural livelihoods because of poor fit with the local livelihood context and inequitable participation opportunities. Through a mixed-methods study on a CBT initiative in Carmelita, Guatemala, this research applied the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF) to understand how tourism contributes to local livelihoods and residents’ perceived barriers for participation. The authors applied ethnographic research methods (observation and semi-structured interviews with 43 Carmelita residents and 10 key informants) and analyzed wages and job distribution from tourism employment records. CBT supported a high, albeit gendered, distribution of tourism jobs across the community. Tourism was a fundamental, but not stand-alone, livelihood activity. Residents perceived few barriers to participate in tourism, but increasing formalization changed how they worked with tourists. Understanding tourism development within the local livelihood context and how CBT initiatives distribute tourism job opportunities is critical to meaningfully generate equitable income-earning opportunities within communities.

Local economic development strategy through hiking tourism: A case study of the selo trail on Mount Merbabu

Background: The existence of the Selo Hiking Trail tourist attraction also provides job opportunities for the local community to work in various business units. Method: Using Multiplier Effect analysis, this study shows that tourism activities along the Selo Trekking Trail significantly impact the livelihoods of the local community. Economically assessed through Multiplier Effect Analysis, the Keynesian Income Multiplier was found to be 0.6, with a Type I Income Multiplier Ratio of 3.3, and a Type II Income Multiplier Ratio of 3.5, highlighting the substantial economic benefits derived from tourism along the Selo Trekking Route. Result: The study indicates that the high leakage rates, particularly in transportation and logistics costs outside the tourist destination, encourage the development of new business units such as convenience stores or minimarkets, as well as gas stations to meet the needs of tourists. Conclusion: To enhance the broader economic impact of tourism, further research and development are needed, especially in the context of culture-based rural tourism or Community-Based Tourism initiatives. This approach aims to promote sustainable economic benefits while preserving cultural heritage and increasing community participation in tourism activities. Novelty/Originality of this study: This study uses Multiplier Effect Analysis to measure the economic impact of nature tourism and provides quantitative evidence of substantial economic benefits to local communities. The study also identifies new business development opportunities to reduce economic leakage, providing a framework for community-based sustainable tourism development.

Public Territorial Governance and Community-Based Tourism for Sustainable Local Development: A Case-Study of Paraty, Brazil

Summary Community-Based Tourism (CBT) is a mode of tourism management that has several foundations articulated for Sustainable Local Development (SLD). Nevertheless, achieving its principles often depends on the interaction with other territorial actors, that is, on Public Territorial Governance (PTG). Consequently, this case study identifies how PTG mechanisms can involve CBT in the process of co-promoting SLD by focusing on the Paraty/Brazil Municipal Tourism Council (COMTUR). This was studied because it is a PTG space open to local CBT initiatives that discuss SLD-related agendas. We collected data through the document analysis of COMTUR minutes and the on-site observation of COMTUR meetings. Data were interpreted by the thematic content analysis technique. The results show that PTG can involve CBT in the process of co-promotion of SLD, through four main elements: Co-need, co-potentiality, co-effectiveness, and co-legitimacy. Information © The Authors 2024

Community-based tourism and rural demographic decline. Reflections from Extremadura (Spain)

ABSTRACT Policies that aim to tackle rural depopulation have prioritised the development of tourism as a primary strategy to reverse demographic decline. But do we really understand the demographic impact of these community-based tourism initiatives on the development of rural areas in crisis? It is very difficult to address this question from a statistical perspective based on secondary data, because such an approach is unable to establish direct causal relationships between tourism and demographics. In this research, we present an ethnographic case study in Extremadura (Spain) that allows us to implement a scaled analysis of local households to explore the direct links between tourism and demographic evolution based on the economic significance of tourism activities. The results of the study show that there is no substantial demographic effect of tourism, although it has implications for other dimensions of the rural crisis. This conclusion, drawn from one specific but significant case, invites us to reconsider the role of tourism initiatives in the face of the demographic challenge and the appropriate methodologies to study it.

A Sustainable model for community-based tourism in the Muaro Jambi Temple Area, Jambi Province

This study investigates community participation concerning the potential and benefits of the Muaro Jambi Temple tourism area, identifying key success factors in community-based tourism (CBT). Employing Structural Equation Modeling-Partial Least Square (SEM-PLS) analysis on primary data, this research combines descriptive and quantitative approaches. The findings reveal that variables related to interest, opportunity, and innovation significantly and directly impact economic conditions, while environmental factors notably influence social conditions. In contrast, cultural and political variables do not significantly affect social conditions. Both economic and social factors significantly influence CBT participation. Indirect effects analysis shows that interest, opportunity, innovation, and environmental factors significantly influence CBT participation, whereas cultural and political variables do not exhibit significant indirect effects. Moreover, over 95% of the communities in the villages surrounding Muaro Jambi Temple perceive the basic principles of CBT positively, with 85% recognizing the potential and benefits of supporting the CBT model. These results underscore the importance of fostering interest, opportunity, and innovation to enhance economic conditions and community participation in CBT initiatives.

The Role of Local Community in Enhancing Sustainable Community Based Tourism

The emergence of “community-based tourism” (CBT) is seen as a viable and alternative means of promoting sustainable tourism development, enhancing community welfare, as well as empowering local communities. By actively involving and empowering the local community, this tourism model aims to minimize negative social, cultural, and environmental impacts while fostering economic benefits for the community. In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the pivotal role played by local communities in the success and sustainability of community-based tourism initiatives. Therefore, a systematic review is conducted to investigate the multifaceted contributions of the local community to sustainable community-based tourism. The researcher examined relevant peer-reviewed articles, books, and reports published in English between 2000 and 2022, focusing on the role of local community in enhancing sustainable community-based tourism. The search was performed in important databases such as Google Scholar, Tandfonline, and ScienceDirect, resulting in a total of 965 publications. After applying removing duplicates and inclusion criteria, only 30 articles out of 152 full articles met the requirements. This thorough and systematic review concludes that active participation of the local community in decision-making processes positively impacts sustainable “community-based tourism”. The findings highlight that the local community acts as a key stakeholder in decision-making processes, ensuring that tourism development aligns with community values and aspirations.

Rethinking community-based tourism initiatives through community development lens: A case study in Vietnam

ABSTRACT Guided by the Social Vocation of Territory (SVT) framework, this research delves into the challenges encountered by Community-Based Tourism (CBT) initiatives in Vietnam, using Quang village as a focal point. Conducted through two fieldwork expeditions spanning 2019 to 2022, the study unveils key hurdles, including elite capture, social exclusion, disruption of community solidarity, and an increased burden on rural women. Aligned with the SVT framework, these findings emphasize the potential risk of undermining social cohesion when tourism overlooks local realities and norms. This research underscores the significance of adopting a community development perspective, offering insights to assess tourism’s impact on the social fabric. The current work advocates for implementing flexible, context-conscious CBT approaches grounded in a realistic understanding of local sociocultural dynamics.

Globe glider

Globe glider Tours and Travels aims to revolutionize the travel industry by offering a comprehensive platform that integrates seamless booking experiences, personalized trip planning, and cutting-edge travel recommendations. With an emphasis on leveraging advanced AI algorithms and machine learning techniques, Globe glider seeks to redefine the way travelers discover, plan, and embark on their journeys. Our platform will provide users with a holistic travel solution, from browsing destinations to booking accommodations, transportation, and activities, all tailored to their preferences and interests. Globe glider’s mission is the commitment to enhancing the traveler's experience through innovative technology and curated content. By harnessing vast datasets and employing sophisticated algorithms, our platform will deliver personalized recommendations for destinations, activities, and experiences based on each user's unique profile and past travel behavior. Additionally, Globeglider will offer real-time assistance and support throughout the travel journey, ensuring a seamless and stress-free experience from start to finish. In an ever-evolving travel landscape, Globe glider stands poised to empower travelers with the tools and resources needed to make informed decisions and create unforgettable experiences. With a focus on user-centric design, technological innovation, and unparalleled customer service, Globeglider aspires to become the go-to platform for travelers worldwide, facilitating seamless exploration, discovery, and adventure across the globe. Globeglider sets itself apart by prioritizing sustainability and responsible tourism practices. In an era where environmental conservation and ethical travel are paramount concerns, our platform will actively promote eco-friendly travel options, support local communities, and advocate for the preservation of cultural heritage sites. Through partnerships with eco-conscious suppliers and community-based tourism initiatives, we aspire to minimize the carbon footprint of travel while maximizing positive socio-economic impacts on host destinations. At the heart of GlobeGlider is a commitment to fostering a sense of exploration and connection among travelers. The application incorporates a user-centric approach, allowing individuals to customize their journeys based on preferences, interests, and travel goals. GlobeGlider not only streamlines the logistics of travel but also enhances the overall experience by offering curated suggestions, insider tips, and interactive maps. By combining convenience with a touch of adventure, GlobeGlider aims to empower users to embark on journeys that are not just destinations but transformative moments in their lives.

Mapping Opportunities: Study of Panaytayan’s Tourism Potential with FUN STEP’s

This research explores the untapped tourism potential of Panaytayan, Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines, employing a multidimensional approach that integrates SWOT analysis and a Community Needs Assessment through community immersion. By evaluating the intrinsic aspects of Panaytayan’s tourism landscape and engaging with the local community, the study identifies the village as a promising site for sustainable, community-based tourism. Challenges such as limited infrastructure, marketing expertise, and environmental vulnerabilities are meticulously addressed alongside opportunities presented by sustainable travel trends and government grants for agri-ecotourism and adventure community-based tourism. Proximity to established tourist destinations provides unique advantages, but potential threats, including over-tourism and competition, are acknowledged. Findings advocate strategic interventions, emphasizing infrastructure improvement, capacity building, targeted marketing, and a clear regulatory framework to overcome challenges and leverage opportunities. Recommendations propose community-based tourism initiatives to empower locals and position Panaytayan for agri-ecotourism and adventure tourism. These initiatives align seamlessly with the proposed extension project, FUN STEP’s (Fostering Unity and Nature through Sustainable Tourism Engagement Programs), a three-year program affiliated with Mindoro State University. FUN STEPs comprise four distinct programs: KAPWAA, TRIPLE-T, Eco-Cinema, and Eco-Drive, fostering community involvement, hygiene awareness, tour guiding proficiency, environmental education, and advocacy campaigns. Sustainable infrastructure and environmental conservation practices are emphasized to minimize adverse impacts. This approach envisions Panaytayan as a sustainable, community-driven destination, poised for economic growth while preserving its distinctive cultural and environmental assets. The research contributes to the comprehensive understanding of Panaytayan’s tourism potential, paving the way for responsible and inclusive tourism development.

Community-Based Tourism Initiatives as a Tool for Empowering Indigenous Communities: Evidence from the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Summary Community-based tourism (CBT) is seen as an opportunity for equitable development and sharing of benefits among host community members. It is an alternative to the mass tourism phenomenon and a way to introduce sustainable management of natural resources. Tourism social enterprises often accompany CBT initiatives, emphasising the social force of tourism as an activity. They enable communities to address social issues while developing market-based activities, deal with injustice in tourism, and respond to the capitalist development strategies applied in the so-called major destinations. In this work, we explore four indigenous community-based initiatives in the hinterland of the Yucatan Peninsula, one of Mexico’s main tourist areas. Through a fieldwork case study approach, we examine the internal governance of these initiatives, the role of external actors and the community approach to developing conscious tourism activities that support local livelihoods, value cultural heritage, and safeguard the natural environment. We find that tourism creates a spillover effect by providing opportunities for the development of complementary economic activities, decreasing the dependence on a single sector. Concurrently, tourism development empowers women and youth members of the communities by creating the possibilities for them to take leading roles in different activities. Information © The Authors 2023

Business Strategy and Development toward Sustainability: A Story of Ban Bo Chet Luk Community Entrepreneurship, Thailand

Summary Community-based entrepreneurship has been acknowledged to be an essential instrument for the socio-economic development of rural communities and social upliftment, especially in developing countries such as Thailand. This case study covers community background, management history, business strategy, ecotourism, and sustainable development in the Ban Bo Chet Luk community. It analyses community-based tourism initiatives, business strategy, and entrepreneurial activities to share ecotourism experiences with visitors and raise awareness about preserving the natural resources and environment of the region. Information © The Author 2023

THE DYNAMICS OF THE STATUS OF BOROBUDUR TEMPLE AND THE POTENTIAL FOR DEVELOPING COMMUNITY-BASED RELIGIOUS TOURISM

This study investigates the complex interplay of factors influencing the status of the Borobudur Temple, a significant cultural heritage site in Indonesia. It examines its potential for fostering community-based religious tourism. Through an interdisciplinary lens, the study explores the historical, socio-cultural, and religious dimensions shaping the temple's significance and its evolving status within the contemporary context. It analyses the intricate relationship between the preservation of the temple's religious and historical value and the development of sustainable community-based tourism initiatives. Through literature reviews, this paper highlights the challenges and opportunities associated with balancing preservation efforts and promoting tourism activities that benefit local communities. Additionally, it underscores the importance of engaging various stakeholders, including local communities, religious authorities, government agencies, and tourism organizations, in fostering a collaborative approach to sustainable tourism development. Within the socio-religious approach, the framework emphasizes the need for a comprehensive strategy that respects the religious sanctity of the site, promotes cultural heritage preservation, and ensures the equitable distribution of economic benefits to the surrounding communities. The findings aim to contribute to formulating effective policies and strategies that promote the sustainable development of community-based religious tourism while safeguarding the cultural and religious significance of the Borobudur Temple.

Measuring Communities’ Perceptions Towards the Socio-Economic Impact of Community-Based Tourism Development of Tourism Villages in Indonesia (Case from Bogor Regency, Indonesia)

Objective: The objective of this study is to examine the impact of community-based tourism (CBT) practices in Ciasmara Village, Bogor Regency, specifically focusing on the social and economic benefits to the community. The study aims to understand how traditional management of community-based tourism affects the local population and to identify potential differences in economic impacts between residents living near tourist sites and those residing farther away.
 
 Method: The research methodology employed a purposive sampling approach, selecting 210 respondents from the community. The study utilized various data analysis techniques, including average score calculations and analysis of variance (ANOVA). These methods were applied to assess the social and economic impacts of community-based tourism practices in Ciasmara Village.
 
 Result: The research findings indicate that the implementation of community-based tourism in Ciasmara Village has led to positive economic and social outcomes for the community. However, a noteworthy observation is the divergence in economic impacts between residents living in close proximity to tourist sites and those residing farther away. The study's analysis, conducted through techniques such as average score calculations and ANOVA, reveals these differences in the economic trends experienced by these two groups within the community.
 
 Conclusion: In conclusion, community-based tourism practices in Ciasmara Village have yielded positive economic and social effects on the local population. However, the study highlights disparities in economic impacts based on residents' proximity to tourist sites. This nuanced understanding underscores the importance of considering the geographical distribution of these impacts when planning and implementing community-based tourism initiatives. Such insights are crucial for ensuring equitable and sustainable development in rural areas, emphasizing the need for tailored strategies that address the specific needs and challenges faced by different segments of the community.

Investigating the impact of community-based tourism on the residents’ quality of life and their support for tourism

ABSTRACT The article aims to decipher the impacts of community-based tourism on the quality of life of traditional communities using the grounds of social exchange theory and economic exchange theory. The empirical data, collected at random by using a questionnaire survey method from the residents of two rural communities in Sikkim, India, were used for the present study. Exploratory factor analysis and multiple regression analysis were performed to analyze the data. The output of the regression analysis indicates that the three factors, economic, socio-cultural, and environmental impacts of community-based tourism, have a positive and significant effect on the resident’s quality of life. It is also demonstrated that improved quality of life has a substantial and constructive impact on the residents’ support for tourism. In nations such as India, characterized by significant potential for community-based tourism to enhance the well-being of rural communities and alleviate poverty, it is crucial for policymakers to possess a comprehensive comprehension of the effects of community-based tourism on residents’ quality of life and their attitudes toward tourism. This understanding is essential to facilitate the successful implementation of community-based tourism initiatives in other regions within the country.

Family Kinship in Community-Based Tourism Businesses in Homestay Entrepreneurs Organization in Raja Ampat

The success and sustainability of tourism depends on the local community as the social unit that supports tourism. Community-based tourism initiatives offer solutions to place communities as the main actors in tourism development. In the implementation of tourism business development, communities in Raja Ampat Regency utilize social capital as a tribal, kinship and family unit in developing their businesses. Family members as part of the kinship unit often play a role in running economic businesses and often take part in making important decisions that affect the course of tourism businesses. This paper aims to determine the form and relationship of kinship among members of the Raja Ampat indigenous business and livelihood association, as well as provide a case example of an organization whose decision-making is based on the kinship of its members. Based on the results of the analysis, it is known that family kinship as social capital has an important role in running tourism businesses, and homestay tourism businesses in Raja Ampat are formed because they have an extensive family kinship network. This is closely related to the concept of kinship adopted by the Biak tribe. This complexity also affects the running of the organization and decision-making in the organization of homestay entrepreneurs in Raja Ampat, such as the election of the chairman who comes from the clan with the largest number of members and other decision-making processes.

Tourism and recreation in protected areas: An exploration of Community Based Tourism and local participation in Zimbabwe

Community-Based Tourism (CBT) is a growing niche in tourism across the world. Protected areas and conservancies in Zimbabwe have resulted in some local communities having negative attitudes towards conservation efforts and the enforcement of conservation-related regulations resulting in conflicts. This paper explores the role and value of CBT in tourism and recreation in protected areas in Zimbabwe in terms of the local participation of communities. This study sought to understand the management system and the perceptions of different stakeholders on community conservancies in Zimbabwe. Consequently, a qualitative methodology using a case study approach was used, using in-depth interviews with key informants. This paper brought insights into the current management system of CBTEs and the perceived challenges of the management system. There is over-dependence on private safari operators, which is affecting the growth and further development of CBTEs. CBT initiatives are for the community and should be managed and run by the communities.

Intermediary organizations as supporters of residents’ innovativeness and empowerment in community-based tourism

Despite the importance of intermediary organizations in promoting community-based tourism, little is known about how different types of social support from intermediary organizations assist residents’ capacity building, such as their innovativeness or empowerment. To address this research gap, this study collected survey responses from 353 South Korean residents participating in a government-supported community-based tourism initiative and examined via structural equation modeling the relationships among social support (i.e. emotional, instrumental, informational, and appraisal support), resident innovativeness, and resident empowerment. All four types of social support had positive impacts on resident innovativeness but instructional and informational support (i.e. functional support) overperformed emotional and appraisal support (i.e. psychological support). On the contrary, when resident empowerment was considered as an outcome, only emotional and appraisal support were direct positive antecedents. The findings indicated the deviating roles of the four social support types in promoting residents’ capacity building, which policymakers should also take into consideration.

Re-examining the participation and empowerment nexus: Applications to community-based tourism

The centrality of community involvement in tourism activities has been widely recognized globally by practitioners and stakeholders alike. Within this recognition community-based tourism (CBT) initiatives have been widely accepted as a favorable form of tourism activity—especially when promoting pro-poor and sustainable strategies for marginalized communities. Arguably, the success of CBT initiatives is underpinned by the participation of communities in the planning, development, and managing processes that bring them about. Supporting these assumptions is the theoretical link between participation and empowerment, where community participation leads to the empowerment of community members. Over the years, however, existing studies have also provided ambivalent accounts suggesting the complexity of these relationships is not well understood. As several studies have pointed out, tourism participation does not invariably and naturally result in empowerment. In contributing to the existing discourse, this study explores the nexus between participation and empowerment by proposing a revised participation-empowerment model. The resulting model suggests that while communities require some level of empowerment to participate effectively in CBT, through continuous interaction they can increase their level of participation along with their level of empowerment.