Community Based Tourism
Finding the Euilibrium in the COMCEC Context
56
Benefits:
 Economic benefits
o Increased income from tourism through direct bookings
o Decreased dependence on external tour operators
o Earnings retained within the community by elimination of intermediaries
o Increased income from sales of local handicrafts
o Promotion of economic linkages and the growth of other businesses in the area
 Promotion and increased awareness of local culture and traditional heritage
 Environmental Sustainability
o Increased awareness of environmental vulnerabilities
o Careful use of natural resources
o Use of solar power, recycling, and replanting of trees
 Collective decision making at the community level
 Enhanced community privacy
 Development of a balanced work structure
Challenges:
 Occasional lack of match between local tourism supply and tourist demands
 Low levels of literacy and numeracy preventing effective management by locals
 Necessity to establish an enthusiastic team of tour guides
Source: (Hatton, 1999)
Songup Folk Village is situated in Cheju island of Korea. Having a cultural heritage and
historic landscape dating back half of a millennium, the village manifests the traditional
lifestyle of its local population.
Since being designated as an important heritage site by the central authorities in 1980, the
village has received continuous financial support from the government to preserve its
historical fabric. Subsidies are awarded to villagers in an effort to restore and preserve
their houses as well as the village landmarks such as roads, gates, walls, etc. The village
association that is composed of several distinct subgroups representing different
demographics (i.e. youth, women, and elders) is responsible for the development and
management of tourism activities. Each subgroup is responsible for a distinct aspect of the
village administration, which also includes tourism affairs. Women and the youth mostly
carry out tourism activities. The tourism products include local foods and restaurants,
tours of the local historical architecture, handicrafts, traditional clothing and lifestyle.
CASE 7 – Korea: Songup Folk Village