Advancing community-based tourism approaches for the sustainable development of destinations

This contribution suggests that community-based tourism (CBT) can create commercial and social value to destinations, local businesses as well as to residents. At the same time, it clarifies that CBT offers rich, immersive cultural experiences that can enhance the tourists' experiences when visiting different communities. It posits that sustainable CBT approaches can improve the local economic development (LED) of communities by reducing economic leakages from the tourism industry. It explains that there is scope for destination managers and tourism businesses to engage in sustainable tourism practices and to utilize local resources, in a strategic manner, in order to maximize linkages in their economy. In conclusion, this paper puts forward a theoretical model that clearly illustrates the business case to implement sustainable CBT strategies. It also implies that these strategies can ultimately result in opportunities for economic growth of tourism businesses and may increase the competitiveness of destinations, while safeguarding the environment and addressing their carrying capacities.

Automated summary

Community-based tourism (CBT) can bring commercial and social value to destinations, local businesses, and residents, offering immersive cultural experiences and improving local economic development. By engaging in sustainable tourism practices and utilizing local resources strategically, destination managers and businesses can maximize economic linkages and enhance competitiveness while protecting the environment.