Community Based Tourism
Finding the Euilibrium in the COMCEC Context
11
services, use and exchange of resources fit in long-established patterns that are shaped by
tradition. Standards of living, economic behaviors and relationships are static and thus
predictable, without much financial or occupational mobility or change. Usually,
community interests come before the individual. Production and distribution of goods is
conducted by combined public participation to some extent, with the expectation of sharing
the proceeds in return for their labor and efforts. This is a potential advantage for
implementation of CBT since community participation is a requirement for successful CBT
implementation. However, once the tourism development is underway, locals may
encounter obstacles in transitioning from agrarian to service production, bypassing the
change processes in production and consumption through industrialization (Pinel, 2013).
Therefore, it is crucial to keep tourism development simple by basing CBT on the existing
knowledge systems, the traditional way-of-life and practices, existing community capital,
skills, cultural and environmental assets, and attractions so as not to overwhelm the locals.
Typical CBT destinations involve non-Westernized cultures and environments where the
local life style, folklore and culture, materials and clothing, dance and music, food and
drink, and the natural surroundings become the CBT products. Table 4 displays common
types of CBT products as attractions and activities for visitors. These products, which are
often simple and traditional, constitute an attraction for ideal CBT consumers. These local
elements are novel, different, exotic, pleasant and enriching, especially when bundled with
the genuine enthusiasm, warmth, and hospitality of the hosts, creating a unique social
space for cross-cultural expression and exchange. However, sometimes locals may perceive
aspects of their way of life as weakness, backward, or unpleasant rather than attractive. It
may take well-structured and targeted capacity building to empower the community by
increasing their awareness about cultural identity, pride, self-confidence, and sense of
control, besides providing the new skills and ability to deal with outsiders.
Table 4. Common Types of CBT Products as Attractions and Activities for Visitors
Single activity or objects
daily chores/ production/
products
Culture tours/
walks/ visits/
events/ classes
Nature/ wildlife/
outdoor activities
Significant sites
drumming
dance
hair braiding
craft work
handicraft production
cookery
meal sharing
storytelling
natural dying
bread
basket
pottery
village tours
agriculture tours
history tours
guided walks
school visits
language classes
seafood event
cooking classes
bird watching
medicinal use of plants
thatching grass
herbal tea collection
trophy hunting
campsite management
jungle trekking
traditional fishing
safaris
turtles
flowers
hot springs
falls
rainforest
volcanos
lakes
rivers
ancient sites
production
facilities
mountains