Community Based Tourism
Finding the Euilibrium in the COMCEC Context
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ceremonies could be utilized as CBT attractions. For instance, in Tumani Tenda, a village in
Gambia, local cultural dance and marriage ceremony events are among the top attractions
offered by the community in a CBT initiative. Similarly, in Taquile Island of Peru, the
traditional woven artifacts are significant parts of the tourism supply.
While finished cultural products serve as tourism resources, experiencing the production
of local products that are a part of the culture may constitute heritage attractions for some
tourists. In Taiwan, pottery and noodle making are among the activities that can be
experienced by community-based tourists. In Australia, tourists can watch the traditional
basket weaving and fire making by the indigenous Jawoyn people. Even agricultural
production processes could be turned into attractions, such as fishing (Seongeup Folk
Village in South Korea), milk production (Mongolia) or coffee production (Bali, Dominican
Republic). In terms of accommodation, local home-stays are commonly offered to visitors
as a means of experiencing the authentic local life-style (e.g. Kyrgyzstan; Bario, Malaysia;
Chambok Eco-tourism Site, Cambodia; Koh Yao Noi, Thailand).
3.3. Challenges Faced in CBT Cases
In-group variations could be the cause of pre-existing conflicts that might prevent cohesion
and cooperation amongst the community that is necessary for a CBT initiative to start. The
power relations among the local groups in Tsiseb, Namibia constituted a challenge for all
segments of the population to equally participate in tourism activities. Barriers of the caste
system posed similar challenges in a CBT initiative in Humla district of Nepal. Other typical
barriers such as public diversion due to low economic benefits from CBT are common
across different cases.
3.4. Benefits Reported in CBT Cases
Benefits in the form of economic, environmental, social and cultural are reported in cases.
Job creation and employment are important economic benefits as for many community
members employment means stable jobs and regular income generation (e.g. CBT
initiatives in Costa Rica, El Salvador). One important point is that the extent of the
economic benefits is affected by how much of the income is retained within the community.
Namibia is a good example in this respect. Economic injections also benefit the
development of small businesses (e.g Umphang District of Thailand) as well as
strengthening the existing small businesses. The inflow of tourism creates opportunities for
the established businesses. Tourism has the potential to facilitate the target market
expansion for local products. For example, the increased tourism inflow in the Taquile
Island of Peru, contributed to the fame and income generation capacity of the traditional
weaving practices. Also, some areas of skill development in locals through CBT
development are reported: tour guiding (Kenya, Dominica), entrepreneurial skills
(Namibia, St. Jacobs-Canada), foreign language skills. Furthermore, substantially positive
change in protection of natural environment and wildlife were observed in CBT cases in
Namibia (Kunene Region), Philippines, Cambodia (Chi Phat Eco-Tourism Site).
Safeguarding the tangible and intangible cultural heritage of the community is also among