Community Based Tourism
Finding the Euilibrium in the COMCEC Context
22
The first and foremost principle of CBT is the participation of all stakeholders in the
planning and development process. In order for CBT to be successful, a communal sense of
ownership is necessary because communities can only be active participants in tourism
projects if they have a sense of ownership. (Sebele, 2010).
As described in Figure 2, each stakeholder has a significant role in the CBT development
process. The government and the donor organizations are the major initiators, facilitators,
and leaders. Governments provide the supportive policy framework for community
involvement and participation in CBT visioning, planning, development, managing and
sharing of the benefits and costs. The civil society (educational institutions, NGOs, trade
associations, organizations, journalists) are also instrumental in increasing awareness,
offering awards, providing training and information conducting research, bringing the
stakeholders together, and assisting locals in voicing their issues and opinions.
Citizen participation is the most critical for the planning process to be effective, equitable
and legitimate; as long as those who participate are representative of the whole community
and are capable of looking after collective interests. Ideally, community participation
allows citizens to shape their local economies by influencing the type of business, industry,
and employment opportunities in their own backyards (Sebele, 2010). Unless local
residents are empowered and participate fully in decision-making and ownership of
tourism developments, tourism will not reflect their values and consequently will not
generate sustainable outcomes.
Although most CBT projects are initiated and even carried out by national or international
organizations, NGOs, or donor agencies, the success level depends on some key factors of
locals’ involvement in participatory planning and development of tourism development as
listed in detail below:
 Strategic networking and partnerships among local communities, government,
NGOs, academics and private businesses to build the knowledge, skills, and self-
confidence of community members.
 A shared vision of tourism, a holistic approach to development with realistic
expectations of what, where and how among the local community (to avoid
disappointed expectations and disillusioned communities from the collapsed, failed,
struggling or poor performance of a CBT project).
 All inclusive participation and equity in planning, decision-making, management,
ownership, and distribution of benefits and costs.
 Strong collaboration, communication links and dialogue between all stakeholders.
 Active community involvement in building and strengthening appropriate
community institutions (e.g. trusts, CBT associations) to take full control of
management by the locals.
2.1. Participatory Planning and Development