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sustainable and resilient community based tourism in Brazil

Sustaining the Resilience of Community-Based Tourism Initiatives in Brazil

Written by Mavi Wilches on August 25, 2023. Posted in Blog.

A Tale of Resilience and Sustainability: Discover how Quilombo Ivaporunduva’s Community-Based Tourism Initiative flourished despite challenges

Community-Based Tourism Initiatives (CBTIs) as Catalysts for Local Development

In response to mass tourism challenges, sustainable tourism emerged, embodying essential pillars of sustainable development. This paradigm shift reinterprets tourism models, emphasizing consciousness, autonomy, and bottom-up strategies while detaching from predatory practices. Community-Based Tourism (CBT) exemplifies sustainable tourism, promoting local development through social justice, resource redistribution, sustainability, and empowerment. CBT initiatives (CBTIs) drive advanced development in impoverished regions with tourism potential to address challenges posed by mass tourism, visionaries conceived sustainable tourism, embodying sustainable development’s pillars.

Rethinking Mass Tourism: The Resilience of Community-Based Tourism Initiatives

The tourism industry holds a significant global economic position, diversifying and actively participating in a growing services economy. It, directly and indirectly, employs a higher share of women and young people. However, the industry’s labor-intensive nature doesn’t always ensure proportional income generation and prosperity for all. “Tourist spending remains in the hands of a few, with high leakages to major corporations in developed countries”. This is worrisome as capital accumulation logic assumes low-complexity job generation ensures lifelong security. Historically, diverse and richly endowed peripheral regions in Latin America, the Caribbean, sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia have drawn predatory tourism. Meanwhile, the absence or inefficiency of State regulation has regularly contributed to the vicious cycles of poverty and vulnerability.

Criticising Reductionist Mass Tourism: Impact on Local Cultures and Communities

In this regard, the reductionist notions of mass tourism have been particularly reprehended. To appeal to a larger public, this form of tourism caters to the demands and infinite desires of foreign visitors, at whatever cost necessary. Local cultural heritage is ignored, disrespecting it and disrupting social and economic networks. Additionally, catering to foreigners mistreats locals, displacing them and exploiting environments to depletion. As a result, what drives tourism growth is not the development of the region but the privatization of financial gains and socialization of negative externalities.

Redefining Tourism: A Closer Look at Community-Based Tourism Initiatives

What sets this approach apart is its rooted philosophy of plurality. It is applied all throughout the planning and implementation, as well as in the management and monitoring of tourism activities. This is self-evident in:

the different backgrounds of stakeholders, ranging from self-sufficient communities to local governments and NGOs;
its multiplier effect, generating direct and indirect employment opportunities;
the recognition of the local human capital that seeks protagonists and acts proactively in touristic activities;
the appreciation of local culture and way of living, as well as, traditional peoples and their historical heritage; and
the ways of sustainable natural resource management and biodiversity conservation.

Their resilience, however, has been widely disputed by researchers in the tourism and development field. According to an analysis carried out by the International Labor Organization (ILO) in 2006 with 30 different CBTIs in Latin America, eight main deficiencies were identified: (i) dispersed and fragmented supply; (ii) diversification of tourism products is scarce and usually based on natural factors; (iii) professional management is limited due to unfamiliarity with the tourism market; (iv) low product quality; (v) low capacity for negotiation due to limited commercial information and communication mechanisms; (vi) difficulty in promoting CBTs in more dynamic environments; (vii) deficit in infrastructure, sanitation and public services; (viii) marginal or subordinate participation of women in the design and management of initiatives.

In agreement with this analysis, Mielke (2009) focuses on three scopes of deficiencies: (i) market access; (ii) internal governance; and (iii) the management of strategic partnerships. As such, addressing the resilience of CBTIs is the stepping-stone to a successful local development strategy. These qualitative assessments hold high relevance in the post-pandemic scenario. They identify the elements and mechanisms enabling tourism initiatives to survive months without revenue or government or NGO support.

Why are Community-Based Tourism Initiatives on the rise in Brazil?

Quilombo Ivaporunduva’s Path: From Cultural Heritage to Thriving CBTI

In that regard, the tourism experiences of the traditional peoples of Quilombo Ivaporunduva have shown exemplary results by moving beyond idealism and legitimately underpinning the integration of conservation goals into development. Much like other quilombos throughout the country, this community was founded in colonial times to provide refuge to fugitive slaves. These spaces have since then been protected by guarantees and public policies to pay homage to the racial struggle and protect national identity.

The story behind Quilombo Ivaporunduva’s CBTI

community-based tourism initiative — A house surrounded by trees in Caeté-Açu, PA, Brazil (Photo credit: Ramon Rocha)

Quilombo Ivaporunduva, located in São Paulo, Brazil, houses around 80 families and is esteemed as one of the region’s oldest Remnant Quilombola Community (CRQ). Its rich biodiversity and cultural heritage gained international recognition in 1999 when designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. They formed an association in 1994, gaining legal representation and recognition, and after a 22-year struggle, secured their entitlement in 2010. Their efforts led to recognition by the Land Institute Foundation in 1997, becoming the first CRQ in São Paulo to achieve legal security by INCRA. The community leader on the frontline of this battle was Ditão, who continued serving the community.

Quilombo Ivaporunduva: A Hub of Sustainable Development

Throughout the 1990s, the Association welcomed new prospects of income generation to complement the revenue derived from small-scale sustainable farming, which still is their main economic activity. Around the same time, tourism interest was beginning to pick up in the region. This was noticed by the municipal government who suggested CRQs adopt CBT strategies. Accepting this proposition took some convincing within Quilombo Ivaporunduva, since most locals had never heard about it and had apprehensions about its impacts. As a result, a round of debates was organized to discuss the positive and negative impacts of operating ecotourism and ethno-tourism. Eventually, most were convinced by its potential to contribute to the advancement of conscious citizens, conservationism, and cross-cultural appreciation.

The Association’s Leadership and Organizational Structure: Embracing CBT Strategies and Shaping a Vision

The Association holds authority for discussions and planning. Annually, the community shapes action plans and projects. Monthly meetings track progress and issues. A six-member board implements decisions. It’s elected every two years based on contributions and an audit committee, as stated in their Statute. That includes the relatively low share of income that is withheld by an obligation to maintain the Association.

After all accepted CBT, the Association initiated workshops on tourism concepts, demand mapping, and CRQ values. They used thematic guidelines to define their CBTI’s vision and mission, including aspects like Art, Customs, Nature, and more. After gradually becoming familiar with the idea, they began putting in more collective effort and raising funds for it to thrive. That is when the community decided to build an inn for tourists outside the residential area. The construction took place between 2001 and 2002 with resources from the state government and supervision by ITESP. Furnishing it took another three years with the help of the Secretary of Promotion of Policies for Racial Equality, linked to the Federal Government, and funds from Petrobras.

Building an Inn and Diversifying Initiatives

The Association achieved another milestone by categorizing its main initiatives into tourism, handicrafts, and organic production. They employ locals and families in rotational roles, including gastronomy, maintenance, administrative positions, and the families selling organic bananas. Marketed and delivered by the Association, cash crops like organic bananas took off when they became officially certified by the Associação de Certificação Instituto Biodinâmico. Part of their production is collected by the Quilombola Farmers’ Cooperative of Vale do Ribeira (Cooperquivale), who sell it along with the production of 17 other quilombos. Another part of the production is sold through the National School Feeding Program to cities in the state of São Paulo.

Capacity and Diversity of Visitors

Upon request, it is possible to participate in their harvests, which engage the entire community, followed by feasts and dancing. Besides these rituals, the Association has arranged a tourism package characterized by variety: (i) lectures on the history of the quilombo and current challenges related to sustainability, conservation, dam constructions and local development; (ii) workshops on fishing, handicrafts, medicinal plants, subsistence agriculture, banana crops, gold mining and local gastronomy; (iii) storytelling and village immersion; and (iv) visit Church Nossa Senhora do Rosário dos Homens Pretos. Additional attractions explore surrounding areas like the Caverna do Diabo, Mirante do Governador, Cachoeira do Araçá, Trilha Vale das Ostras and Cachoeira Queda do Meu Deus. The CBTI experience includes becoming acquainted with the local cuisine through a varied menu. Throughout the tour, visitors are requested to respect local privacy.

Two coordinators in charge of the tourism agenda take care of the online bookings; negotiations with tourism agencies; management of the tourism package; hiring and training of local tour guides; elaboration of budgets; purchases for the inn; hiring of support staff and collecting tourism revenue. The price of the stay is defined by the accounting team, and they consider the prices of services and inflation rates. Around 70 people are directly employed to manage and administer the CBTI, not to mention the families contributing to artisanal and agricultural products and other hospitality services.

Achieving Stability and Prioritizing Infrastructure

Given this infrastructure, Quilombo Ivaporunduva has the capacity to receive up to 130 tourists per day and 60 people to stay overnight in the inn. With the help of tourism agencies like Araribá, they have received tourists from all ages, foreigners, schools, and professionals from academia.

These legal and economic milestones towards the maturation of their CBTI granted greater stability that allowed the community to focus on other pressing matters. In acknowledgment of their rights, better facilities in infrastructure and public services became a top priority to protect their subsistence in the territory. Compensation was sought for the construction of a bridge in 2010, which enabled much-needed access to schools and health centers, not to mention an increased production flow and the influx of tourists.

The Pillars of Resilience: How Quilombo Ivaporunduva’s CBTI Thrived

Over the past two decades, at least six neighboring quilombos attempted ecotourism and ethno-tourism through CBT. However, only Quilombo Ivaporunduva’s initiative displayed resilience. They possessed predisposed advantages in geographic location, ecosystems, an established foundation from informal institutions and social organization, political networking inclination, and focused inclusive and strategic visioning. Unlike other Brazilian CBTIs, Quilombo Ivaporunduva embraced comprehensive participation pre-tourism, fostering a symbiotic relationship. Their tourism operation channeled pre-existing strengths productively, aiming to mature by adopting new technologies, constructing robust infrastructure and public services, sourcing multiple finances, ensuring educational opportunities, and deploying versatile attractions. Engaging hospitality demanded an open posture, especially from local guides, convincing them of their role in citizen development, environmental conservation, and cross-cultural appreciation. This transition reflects cultural dynamism stages spurred by the urgency to diversify income sources.

Navigating the Pandemic: Quilombo Ivaporunduva’s Response to Crisis

During the pandemic peak, stringent restrictions impacted core and ancillary economic activities due to mandatory self-quarantine measures. The Cooperquivale partnership halted, leading to surplus production. Face-to-face class interruptions canceled 38 tons of vegetable deliveries. A swift emergency plan established a food distribution network to address this, connecting sponsors and hunger relief campaigns with CRQ food donations. Partners procured food from the cooperative and distributed it in baskets, achieving a triple purpose: sustaining field production, securing CRQ income, and ensuring food security for vulnerable urban populations. Quilombo Ivaporunduva contributed 254 tons of food (from May 2020 to October 2021) to over 31,000 individuals in various quilombos, rural, and urban communities. This initiative persisted until January 2022.

Unveiling the Secrets of Success: Quilombo Ivaporunduva’s Takeaways for Thriving CBTIs

As such, with the maturation of other CBTIs in mind, Quilombo Ivaporunduva’s experience provides some rich reflections and takeaways: (i) branching out to appeal to a wider public; (ii) the differential attraction that forges an authentic experience to secure a competitive advantage over conventional tourism products; and (iii) the importance of governmental assistance in creating incentives for visitation and structural investments.

The Role of Destination Management Organizations in CBTIs

role of destination management organisations in sustaining the resilience of community based tourism — A photo of a trail in the Sundarbans, Bangladesh, where Solimar is establishing a DMO. (Photo credit: Rasima Sabzalieva )

Empowering the Future: How Destination Management Organizations Support CBTIs

Reliance on these opportune determinants alone doesn’t ensure resilience. Enhancements are necessary in dimensions like digital adaptability, predicting increased rural technological infrastructure demand. Long-standing concerns about local development center around information and communication technology needs. The pace of technological transition in rural economies lags behind urban settings, necessitating smart city investment and complex policies. Insufficient facilities in infrastructure, public services, and civil services challenge CRQs. Improved living standards leading to returns suggest that emigration is restricted by fundamental factors rather than voluntary choices. Facility scarcity hampers resilience, hindering responsiveness and community empowerment. Concerns arise about a state draft law recognizing and regulating CBTIs, lacking incentives to bolster resilience. It grants unilateral authority to the State and Municipal Secretary of Tourism for monitoring and data collection without anticipating participative committees or councils linking local needs to private sectors, governmental agencies, and different levels of government’s political will and power.

On a further note, it sustains the gap between stakeholders in the public and private sectors and from civil society and the communities to focus efforts, generate some level of agreement on development objectives, and deliver cooperative mobilization. In fact, other dimensions could benefit from a more effective and efficient public sector involvement – as noted by the absence of the local government and Secretary of Tourism of São Paulo in strategic visioning processes. To understand these shortcomings more deeply, one would need to conduct a personnel analysis of the Secretary of Tourism of São Paulo. This trend is evident in the State’s lack of proactive measures to provide dedicated funds for CBTIs and ongoing educational opportunities, including training for tour guides and hospitality workshops.

Destination Management Organizations’ Strategies for CBTIs

On that note, considering how Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) play an essential role in managing tourism at the local level to attract tourists and support businesses within its boundaries, these are the ways new opportunities could be created:

Conduct Market Research
Branding campaigns related to ecotourism, agro-tourism, and cultural tourism;
High-quality product development for schools and social movements;
Maximizing and pooling financial resources from both public and private sources;
Marketing through targeted campaigns;
Partnerships on issues related to sustainability to achieve common goals;
Addressing barriers that prevent neighboring CBTIs from maturating;
Effective communication with stakeholders;
Supporting efforts to update the regional Tourism Master Plans (PDT);
Promote cultural appreciation and transparent synergies.

It is important to highlight that DMOs can be part of a government entity, a stand-alone organization, or a combination of a chamber of commerce and a tourism bureau. Businesses can invest in DMOs to pool resources by making voluntary marketing contributions that bank advertising. In essence, it leverages its money with the organization and the community to promote the destination. In parallel, ratifying tourism marketing authorities (TMAs) from government-level authorization allows DMOs not to be at the whim of the government since tourism budgets may have to compete with other priorities.

Empowering DMO Development: Insights from Solimar International

Jennifer Wesselhoff, the President and CEO of the Sedona Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau, strongly advocates for creating these key players in the DMO Development Program provided by the Institute for Sustainable Destinations. With over 20 years of industry experience, she has observed how it shifted the power dynamics between tourism businesses and the city to align their interests. This facilitated an easy decision to increase taxation on the tourism industry, establishing a higher percentage of “bed taxes” in the United States. This move led to increased municipal funds, benefiting both locals and tourists. However, it’s important to note that focusing on higher tourist spending instead of numbers could potentially exclude budget-conscious travelers. Adapting insights from DMO experiences in the US and other Solimar projects to Brazil’s market could usher in a transformative era for CBTIs.

Interested in how we can help you with Destination Management Organizations? Contact us to learn more.

Sustainable tourism certifications can help with these beautiful destinations

What Are Sustainable Tourism Certification Schemes, and Do They Work?

Written by Cat Padgett on January 6, 2023. Posted in Blog, Uncategorized.

Sustainable tourism certifications are designed to voluntarily assess and monitor the environmental and social impacts of tourism organizations or destinations that facilitate tourism activities. Accreditation is done by certification bodies according to many criteria regarding business practices, social policy (i.e. human rights, fair labour, and child protection), environmental impact (i.e. CO2 emissions, water, waste, biodiversity, animal welfare), supply chain and procurement, business partners, and more. To the consumer, these labels indicate that a baseline of generally accepted requirements for sustainable tourism is met and that the company is committed to a sustainable approach to the environment and the local community in a particular destination. But do sustainable tourism schemes truly work as intended?

Conventional Tourism

Conventional tourism has a negative impact on the globe. A 2018 study by Nature Climate Change reported that over 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions were traced back to the tourism industry. Wracked with carbon emissions, environmental and habitat damage, careless infrastructure development, and human rights violations, tourism is not often a champion of environmentalism. Furthermore, rarely does the money from tourism traffic filter down to individual people in tourism destinations. Many of the big players in tourism get wealthy, while small, independently-owned companies and individuals can be pushed out of popular destinations by increasing property values.

When the tourism industry in a destination becomes saturated with corporate interests, economic insecurity and growing wealth inequalities among local people in popular destinations, especially in the global South, can be the result. Rapid infrastructure development may contribute to environmental damage of fragile habitats, increased resource use can damage surrounding ecosystems and limit local access to critical resources including food and water, and the commodification of culture can compromise the authenticity and local community’s agency over their cultural practices. Furthermore, tourism is growing. In 1960, there were about 70 million international tourist arrivals. Today, there are almost 1.5 billion. This movement is immense and unlikely to wane.

Despite many ill environmental and social effects of conventional tourism, the benefits of truly sustainable tourism approaches are plenty. Tourism can strengthen communities with increasing tourist capital and economic opportunities, reduce wealth inequality, incentivize investments in local infrastructure, including health care and education, facilitate cross-cultural exchange, and improve the visibility of important heritage sites, natural landscapes, and fragile ecosystems. The large numbers of travelers represent an opportunity to direct growing tourism into environmental and socially beneficial efforts. Thus, the question becomes even more potent in an increasingly global, and environmentally strained world: is there an avenue for tourism that can capitalize on the benefits of increasing tourist traffic, while minimizing the industry’s damages?

The Solution?

A movement towards more sustainable tourism, or ecotourism, can be part of this solution. Raising awareness about the impact of tourism and bringing stakeholders together is one way to achieve this through Sustainable Tourism Certifications. Over the past three decades, many initiatives have taken shape, with different sets of standards and resulting in many different schemes. Because the certification process is voluntary and because of the abundance of labels that are emerging, sustainable tourism certifications are often criticized and viewed as greenwashing (misleading labeling or unjustified claims of sustainable practices). Therefore, complete transparency of practices, measures, and results is the most important condition for a process toward sustainable development of an organization or destination.

When these schemes involve a number of stakeholders, including customers, small businesses, corporate interests, and local service providers, and consider the environmental impact of the effort as a whole entity, they can be incredibly valuable, sustainable, and regenerative economically and environmentally. These efforts could contribute to the achievement of many of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, including minimizing poverty, hunger, and gender inequalities, and improving education, work opportunities, safe industry and infrastructure, and responsible consumption.

Sustainable tourism certification schemes explained

The leading international organization in the field of tourism is UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organization). They promote responsible, sustainable, and accessible tourism as a driver of economic growth and inclusive development. About 15 years ago, the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) was formed by 32 tourism industry partners, including UNWTO and Solimar International, to foster universal sustainable tourism practices. They developed a method for accrediting certifying bodies and certification programs, with the aim that these programs are objective and transparent. In essence, the GSTC provides the standards and the stamp of approval of the certification programs themselves, rather than getting involved in the direct certification of businesses or destinations; that is the job of the numerous sustainable tourism certifications adopting GSTC criteria.

For example, Green Destinations is one GSTC-accredited certification body for destinations. They support global destinations and tourism organizations with their sustainable tourism certification schemes, focused on a sustainable management cycle of continuous improvement and assessment of responsible tourism. Green Destinations uses the GSTC criteria, adapted for specific destination contexts, to certify destinations based on their level of sustainability performance. Solimar International and Green Destinations are working together at the country level including in destinations like Timor-Leste and the Maldives to share best practices, such as through the Green Destinations Top 100 Competition, and the Green Destinations Good Travel Seal White Label Certification Scheme. These programs enable recognition of destination sustainability efforts while providing important information to travelers seeking sustainable experiences.

Several other notable schemes which are effective in encouraging environmental awareness may not be GSTC accredited, but they do include the GSTC standards and/or the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Blue Flag has a global accreditation program for beaches, marinas and tourism boats and promotes sustainable development in freshwater and marine areas. GreenKey audits and certifies tourism establishments (accommodation, restaurants, attractions and more) and promotes sustainable methods of operation and technologies, offering carbon and water calculation tools. Travelife is a certifying body for tour operators and travel agents. The program includes managing the impact of accommodation, transport and excursion providers. They offer a wide range of training and management tools to improve social and environmental impact in the destination. Biosphere tourism is a certification scheme that includes companies involved in destinations, events, hotels, and transportation, measuring environmental performance and social and cultural impacts.

Limitations of Sustainable Tourism Certification Schemes

Certification schemes are not without their complexities. Currently, over 100 companies claim to have developed sustainable tourism certification schemes to measure the impacts of tourism, from municipal waste, climate costs, and financial burdens. While these schemes tout their accreditation methods, many are certifying that the stakeholders they work for have met a minimum standard, instead of encouraging improved environmental and human conditions. Most certifications reward companies for doing their homework, but they don’t set standards for minimum wages, workers rights, and environmental initiatives.

Importantly, certification schemes must be transparent in order to be credible. Many resulting figures and measures from certifications are often unavailable to the consumer. Contrary to other certification schemes, sustainable tourism accreditation is often measuring progress or an effort to track progress against an unknown baseline. Certification programs such as Green Destinations offer destinations a goal to work towards improving their sustainability practices, which is an important aim in and of itself.

While it is critical that businesses measure impact and costs, the bigger picture can still have a negative impact. A company is part of a complex system, where the individual business may meet the criteria, but still harms the system as a whole. An example could be a certified hotel in a desert area. The hotel is incredibly resource intensive, extracting a depth of resources from a water-poor desert environment. Operations like this do not serve people or the environment.

In this case, the certifications the hotel has received are effective at attracting lucrative business and well-intentioned customers, but not for creating equitable environmental and social conditions for local ecosystems and people. Usually, there are no obligations to keep profits at the destination to contribute to this local ecosystem, but international chains shift their earnings to tax havens. Updating these certification schemes to include minimum requirements for acceptable environmental practices and working conditions for employees and include a fair contribution to the local ecosystem could hugely improve the broader sustainability goals.

Conclusion and Further Readings

Despite these limitations that can lead customers astray, the efforts to become a certified sustainable tourism business offer opportunities to improve environmental and social circumstances, address climate change, land use, animal welfare, and create healthy economies. Successful integration of sustainable practices and management can support a sustainable socioeconomic development strategy, increased economic security, and improved environmental conditions.

Do you represent a destination of tourism organization interested in being certified as sustainable? Solimar can help you to choose a certification program that suits your future sustainability goals. Contact us to learn more.

Written by Cat Padgett and Carla Rijnders on January 19, 2023

community based tourism experience in tanzania

What is Community-Based Tourism and Why Does it Matter?

Written by Ece Zivrali on July 13, 2022. Posted in Uncategorized.

Community-based tourism is one of the most significant parts of the tourism industry and key to destination sustainability. Despite their importance, communities are often neglected in tourism. Many tourism destinations overlook local peoples, or at best use them as gimmicks and labor for foreign visitors. Instead, tourism should serve as a tool to improve destination development and locals’ quality of life.

What is a community and what does it mean for tourism?

A community is defined as individuals living in the same region with common interests and interactions. However, community means more than sharing the same physical environment – many social-cultural factors are in play to create a community. In tourism, a community encompasses anyone living in a destination and is affected by tourism, either directly or indirectly.

community cultural displays can be a great tourist attraction — Locals performing their traditional dance in Samara Beach, Guanacaste, Costa Rica

The importance of communities in tourism destinations

What is community-based tourism?

Community-based tourism falls under the umbrella of sustainable tourism. It aims to involve communities in aspects of tourism, ranging from planning to active participation. Community-based tourism seeks to support communities through tourism activities, and aims to offer tourists an authentic local experience. Solimar International has developed a CBT project in Timor-Leste.

In contemporary tourism planning, especially in developing countries, the voices of local residents often go unheard. Community empowerment aims to create dynamic and self-sufficient communities that will make decisions for their own well-being.

Unfortunately, a lack of sustainable planning in tourism ventures can create adverse effects in local communities. Community-based tourism aims to incorporate sustainability efforts and reduce the negative impacts of tourism, both on the environment and the residents of destinations.

community markets are popular with tourists — Traditional floating market in Thailand

What are the potential negative impacts of tourism on communities?

When done thoughtfully with stakeholders in mind, tourism is hugely beneficial to communities. There are many reasons why it is important to measure the negative impacts of tourism. To better understand the importance of thoughtful community-based tourism, let’s look at some of the potential negative impacts of tourism on communities.

1. Economic Leakage and Higher Prices

Tourism greatly influences communities in developing countries, especially those that take in large amounts of foreign currency. The profit generated from tourism–if not used to benefit communities–can create revenue leakage, and may lead to inflation in the destination, making it hard for locals to gain or keep economic independence.

2. Dependence on Tourism

Communities become economically vulnerable when tourism is their main source of income. They can become dependent on foreign visitors and have difficulty sustaining their economy during off-seasons.

3. Commercialization of Traditions and Customs

Especially with regard to mass tourism, local peoples and their cultures have become marketing assets for tourism profit. Instead of preservation, local traditions and customs are commodified and used as tools to attract more tourists.

local communities can suffer from harmful tourist practices — African women cooking traditional local food on the street

4. Cultural Deterioration

Interaction between locals and visitors can cause cultural clashes, and the rapid changes caused by an influx of tourism may agitate a community’s harmony and disrupt traditional living.

5. Environmental Damage

Tourism can also cause harm to the environment, leading to losses of natural resources and biodiversity, as well as general deterioration of the local biosphere as a whole.

tourism can damage the environment — Environmental damage of tourism on natural resources

Why is community important for sustainable tourism?

For a destination to be sustainable, tourism’s adverse economic, environmental, and social impacts should be limited. Local communities are motivated to minimize negative impacts to their homes in order to continue living in them, which is why community inclusion in the tourism sector is essential for sustainability.

1. A Self-sustained and Locally Managed Economy

Community-based tourism ensures locals make their own decisions and keep the money within their community. As a result, communities become self-sustainable. The funds created by tourism activities stay within the community and are used for its own good.

2. Going Back to Basics: Local knowledge for preservation and sustainability

Locals know how to maintain and protect their land. They are permanent residents, and they care about their environment. Locals also hold knowledge beyond what tourism professionals can provide. They know what is appropriate or not for their environment. Local involvement ensures tourism sustainability. Locals are trained to protect and sustain their environment for themselves and future touristic activities.

3. Active Participation and Community Involvement

In community-based tourism, locals actively participate in the tourism decision-making process, which causes communities to gain confidence and their voice to be heard. It is important to include communities for sustainability, as community decisions have more considerable impacts than that of individuals.

4. Increased Value and Protection of Local Culture

Community-based tourism is also essential for cultural preservation. The publicity of local cultures encourages locals to value and preserve their traditions and culture.

What are the benefits of community-based tourism to travelers?

Community-based tourism not only benefits locals, but also travelers.

community-based boat tours are a great way to support locals when you travel — Small boat tours in Thailand

Here are some benefits of community tourism for travelers:

1. Experiencing the Authentic Culture

Community-based tourism gets closer to the community and the authentic culture. While a coach tour stops in a local village to buy handicrafts, community-based tourism involves tourists with the community and its lifestyle, which is a two-way interaction. Community-based tourism moves from the stereotypical, commercialized part of tourism to a genuine experience.

2. Unique Locations

Community-based tourism includes locations that mass tour operators may not prefer. It involves unique experiences and culturally dense areas fed by local knowledge.

3. Ethical Awareness and Responsible Traveling

Community-based tourism aims to provide opportunities for travelers to help locals. Tourists will know that their money is used for a good reason – the development of the destination. They will also leave knowing they have left a positive footprint.

4. Warm Welcome by Locals

Tourists have an unforgettable experience when they feel welcomed by locals. Community-based tourism puts importance on communities and tourists’ relationship with locals. Locals’ attitude is one of the leading influencers of why people prefer to travel to a destination.

ecotours help support the environment and the community — An ecotourist visiting a waterfall

Conclusion

In short, tourism has a significant influence on communities, especially in developing countries. Most tourism destinations ignore locals and use them as a tool to attract more tourists.

To the contrary, community-based tourism includes locals in every part of the tourism planning and managing process. Locals learn to be active participants. They build value and confidence, improve their knowledge, and interact with tourists, which creates mutual understanding and learning. The more locals feel supported by tourism, the more they support and further tourism, which favors destination sustainability and protection of the culture and its values. Community-based tourism helps locals when traveling to a destination. It is a win-win situation for everyone involved in tourism.

WE DEVELOP, MANAGE, AND MARKET SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DESTINATIONS

Tag: community based tourism