Community Based Tourism
Finding the Euilibrium in the COMCEC Context
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lack a sense of ownership of the destination and its development, including lack of time,
financial and labor resources to contribute in development endeavors. For this reason,
some stakeholders may act in disconnect and ignorance of others, as well as engage in
friction, unnecessary competition, and even hostile attitudes.
Furthermore, when a destination already has a tourism supply structure that has
substantial control over the tourism flow, barriers for the local community to involve in
planning, decision-making, ownership and management of CBT enterprises may be posed.
In such cases, a higher authority, usually the local government as the sustainer/protector of
the common greater good of the society may need to step in and achieve collaboration by
using a bottom-up approach through empowerment of local communities. For this reason,
lack of such well-established tourism supply structures in less developed destinations may
be an advantage in assuring full participation of all stakeholders as a result of fewer
numbers of stakeholder groups.
2.2.4. Destination Capital Analysis
Current Infrastructures, products and services need to be analyzed for healthy assessment
of weaknesses and strengths of the product. Box 4 displays major elements of Destination
Capital and Table 6 lists a detailed inventory of Destination Capital. Some elements of the
Destination Capital are critical factors in the success of CBT development at the onset.
Location of the destination is one of the most critical factors since it defines access and
proximity to other major markets, destinations, and transportation hubs. Thorough
assessment of these elements is required to identify current and potential touristic
products as well as their support and complementary products and those yet to be
developed. A holistic approach with consultation with locals is needed to identify the
everyday life endeavors of locals, usually rooted in rural and agricultural activities, and
relevant resources to be developed into tourism attractions.
Box 4. Major Elements of Destination Capital
 Location - defining access and proximity to: the major hubs, infrastructure (roads,
telecommunication), mainstream tourism sites, the markets, physically, socially and politically;
 Preconditions - political, legal, religious, moral ;
 Infrastructure - roads, electricity, sewage, water, gas;
 Accommodation - hotels, homestays, campsites;
 Food and beverage places - restaurants, bars, clubs, food stands, convenience stores;
 Transportation - air, ground and waterways;
 Other services - health, banking, insurance, education;
 Resources - natural, social, cultural, heritage;
o Attractions - commonplace (e.g. beach) and unique (e.g. cultural way of life),
o Activities - commonplace (e.g. trekking) and unique (e.g. rain dance)
Source: Authors’ compilation from diverse information sources