Community Based Tourism
Finding the Euilibrium in the COMCEC Context
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 Local villages were cleaned (e.g. litter and garbage removed).
 Empowerment of women through increased employment and decision making roles.
Challenges:
 Promotion of the CBT program because of limited resources.
 Difficulty in determining who should benefit from the profit made by tourists (e.g.
community vs. individual households)
Source: (Lama, 1999)
An Aboriginal community located in the Northern Territory of Australia, Manyallaluk, has
flora and fauna that is unique to the area as well as a rocky landscape. The area is owned
and operated by the indigenous Jawoyn people.
Community-based tourism development in Manyallaluk has developed over decades of
long local control in the area. The Jawoyn Association initially oversaw the development of
tourism and was first founded in 1985 to promote the economic interests of the local
population. Over the years, the Association assisted in establishing tourism businesses that
focused on the local Aboriginal culture. In 1993, the Manyallaluk Aboriginial Corporation
was formed and took full control of the management of the tourism activities in
Manyallaluk. Tourism development in Manyallaluk represents a true community-based
approach. Currently, tours into this area are run by local men and women and include bush
walks educating tourists on local plants and herbal medicines, Aboriginal language names,
plant collections and preparation practices of plants used in local cuisines. The educational
experience also allows tourists to learn about local arts and handicrafts including spear
throwing, basket making, fire making, painting, and playing the didgeridoo.
CASE 6 – Australia: Manyallaluk
Best Practice Point: Prevention of cultural erosion
The Manyallaluk community prevented cultural erosion and protected the integrity and
privacy of their community through well-established rules that were effectively
communicated to the tourists. The community separated sites that were open for visits
from actual living spaces and prohibited photography of community homes.
Best Practice Point: Feminine input
Women’s participation built community self-reliance and a gender appreciative
approach to sustainable resource management.