Community Based Tourism
Finding the Euilibrium in the COMCEC Context
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5. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE COMCEC MEMBER COUNTRIES
Community Based Tourism is an ‘in vogue’ concept around the world. With its principles
and benefits, it provides a holistic approach to community development, which is aimed by
both developed and developing countries. It has a potential particularly for the
underdeveloped areas with marginalized and underprivileged communities. In line with
the UN’s Millennium Development Goals, elimination of perils in less developed areas
through CBT development has been promoted by several international organizations. Some
progress has been recorded, especially by the UNWTO, which has been actively involved in
CBT through their ST-EP actions around the world. However, there is yet a great potential
for exponential growth in CBT development in several countries including the COMCEC
Member Countries, especially when considering the trends in international tourism,
changing consumer preferences and advantages of the less developed places in tourism
development including:
 abundant tourist assets, unique culture, art, music, natural landscapes and wildlife,
 curiosity and demand from developed-country tourists,
 underutilized labor force, especially in youth and female groups,
 land open for development,
 lower rate of exchange compared to those in tourist generating places.
If appropriately applied, especially using the opportunities in the environment, CBT may be
a strategic development choice for several COMCEC Member Countries. However, CBT
development is required to be applied with caution at the onset. Due to many constraints
and challenges, it may result in a failure, and waste of scarce resources.
Although there are several “ good practices”, and guidelines, none of them provides a one-
fits-all blueprint. Each community, with their unique resources, characteristics, culture,
strengths and weaknesses need to identify their opportunities and learn from trials and
errors. However, lessons learned from cases all over the world provide a few critical points
to keep in close considerations to achieve optimum results in CBT development in the long
term. Below is a summary of some of the lessons for COMCEC member countries to
consider for successful CBT applications. First, the critical factor of supportive legal and
institutional framework will be highlighted. Then, the core concepts of CBT, namely, local
governance, equity and capacity will be accentuated. Besides, the business approach in CBT
development, management and marketing of CBT products for sustainable success will be
delineated. Finally, some immediate action suggestions are provided for networking and
organization among the COMCEC Member Countries for effective and efficient use of
resources for CBT development.
Governments, governmental organizations, agencies, non-governmental organizations as
well as donor organizations play a central role in facilitating and speeding CBT initiatives.
5.1. Legal and Institutional Support