Community Based Tourism

What is community tourism?

Community based tourism ensures that locals benefit directly from tourism, and that those economic benefits are kept within the community. What does this look like? It means staying in local accommodation versus hotel chains, and eating at restaurants owned by locals versus large chain restaurants. It’s also designed to help preserve cultural heritage and traditions by creating a demand for those experiences – like traditional dances, performances or rituals.

 

Community based tourism examples at Bunnik Tours

At Bunnik Tours, we’re committed to involving the local communities in our tours as much as possible. It not only supports the economy but provides you with a one of a kind, authentic experience!

 

 

 

Community tourism is sustainable because it keeps the economic and social benefits within the community, rather than large corporations. As a result, communities become self-sustainable and the funds from tourism can be used for the community’s own good!

 

Why is community based tourism important?

There are a number of reasons why community based tourism is important (and it closely ties in with its benefits). Community tourism encourages the locals to be involved in the tourism industry rather than having it thrust upon them. Beyond the economic benefits, the locals become active participants and they get to interact with the tourists and form deep, meaningful connections.

 

Benefits of community based tourism

Boost to the economy

Community based tourism can generate a number of new jobs and sources of income for the locals. They can act as tour guides, sell goods and services, serve local cuisine in restaurants, host performances and events, and create special experiences for travellers. It can also help to diversify the economic activities beyond agriculture and farming.

Preservation of culture

Creating a demand for local experiences can help to preserve a community’s culture and traditions – be it local cuisine, performances, tellings of ancient stories and more. It can also prevent the younger generation from moving to larger cities to find employment, as they can find a number of job opportunities locally. This means the culture is passed on from generation to generation.

Authentic experiences

Community based tourism focuses less on the commercialisation of tourism and more on building authentic and genuine experiences. The travellers get to interact with the locals and learn about their culture, and the locals get to do the exact same.

Environmental conservation

The locals know how to care for their land. As permanent residents, they know what’s best for their environment and how to protect their natural resources and wildlife. They’re also the best people to educate visitors on their unique biodiversity!

Community empowerment

Involving the locals in the tourism industry can give them a sense of empowerment. Their voices and opinions are heard and acknowledged, and they get to actively participate in the tourism decision-making process.

 

Learn more about sustainable tourism:

• Principles of sustainable tourism
• Positive and negative impacts of tourism
• Overtourism