Community-Based Tourism (CBT) highlights cultural preservation, economic empowerment, and environmental care. In this sustainable tourism model, local communities actively manage and benefit from tourism activities, ensuring that the revenue generated stays within the community and supports its development. Unlike conventional tourism, which often revolves around the visitor’s experience, community-focused tourism prioritizes the well-being and involvement of the local community, making it central to the tourism approach.
Community-based tourism (CBT) stands out as a distinctive form of tourism, particularly from mass tourism and other conventional approaches. To effectively implement CBT, it is essential to understand its root principles and fundamental elements thoroughly. The approach to CBT should include the following concepts:
- Involve community people from the start
- Grow cross-cultural learning
- Improve the quality of life
- Maintain environmental sustainability
- Promote community ownership of tourism
- Respect cultural differences
- Share benefits fairly among community members
Community Based Tourism in Nepal
Nepal, a landlocked heaven in South Asia, is famous for its astonishing landscapes, warm hospitality, and rich cultural variety. Each year, community-based tourism (CBT) continues to flourish within Nepal's tourism industry. This sustainable travel model offers travelers an immersive experience while delivering substantial, positive benefits to local communities. CBT empowers communities to take control of tourism in their region, allowing them to determine whether they want tourism, how much they desire it, and what it should look like.
Community-based tourism (CBT) goes above being a business focused on maximizing returns for investors. It prioritizes the influence of tourism on both local communities and environmental resources. CBT arises from a community development practice, where tourism serves as a tool to enhance the capacity of rural community associations that manage tourism resources, with dynamic involvement from the local people.
In this blog, we explore the vision of Community Based Tourism in Nepal and its tremendous impact on the lives of the local people.
Examples of community-focused tourism in Nepal
Nepal has numerous Community-Based Tourism (CBT) endeavors that have earned praise for successfully empowering local communities while offering visitors unique and memorable experiences. Below are some remarkable examples:
Sirubari, Syangja
Sirubari is viewed as a pioneer in Nepal's community-based tourism initiatives. This lovely Gurung village offers visitors a chance to stay in homestays, enjoy lively cultural performances, and participate in guided tours that provide a golden opportunity to dive into the Gurung way of life. The local community takes charge of managing tourism collectively, ensuring that the benefits are shared equally among its residents and for the development of the village.
Ghale Gaun, Lamjung
The local Gurung community manages the CBT ambition in Ghale Gaun, offering homestays, traditional cooking, and a glimpse into their rich heritage. Located along the Annapurna Circuit, this scenic village is well-known for its cultural and natural charm. Visitors can enjoy cultural performances, explore local schools, and stay in eco-friendly accommodations operated by the community. The earnings from tourism directly support the village by financing education, healthcare, and infrastructure expansion projects.
Barpak Village, Gorkha
Barpak, once the core of the 2015 earthquake, has emerged as a symbol of strength through community-based tourism. Tourists can stay in homestays, immerse themselves in the typical Gurung culture, and take in stunning views of the Himalayan range. This endeavor has played a vital role in helping the local ward rebuild their livelihoods while offering visitors an authentic experience of rural life.
Tharu Community Life in Chitwan
The Tharu community in Chitwan has adopted community-based tourism by providing eco-friendly experiences like village excursions, traditional dance performances, and insights into their unique lifestyle. Visitors can participate in cultural fire dances, explore traditional fishing methods, and taste authentic Tharu cuisine while understanding the community’s deep relationship with nature.
CBT in the wetlands of Koshi Tappu Reserve
The Koshi Tappu Wetland site in southeastern Nepal combines wildlife conservation with community-based tourism. Guests can participate in birdwatching tours, enjoy boating, and engage with local communities, including the Tharu and Rajbanshi people. This initiative sustains eco-tourism while offering sustainable livelihood opportunities for the local inhabitants.
Some other examples of CBT around the world include:
- Farmstay or homestay
- Sailing or fishing with the locals
- Working in the field
- Painting or handcrafting
- Village walk
- Tasting and cooking local food
- Cycling tour around the village
How does community-based tourism benefit local communities?
CBT presents a growing niche with extensive potential. Increasingly, travelers seek authentic experiences that allow them to connect with local cultures and engage meaningfully with communities. Some of the primary benefits of community-based tourism include:
Creates and empowers resilient and strong communities
CBT fosters stability by encouraging joint decision-making and cooperation among community members. The collaboration of locals often leads to the establishment of cooperatives or local committees that ensure the appropriate distribution of tourism revenues and resources. Additionally, the financial liberty gained through CBT helps communities recover more quickly from challenges such as natural disasters or economic downturns. Also when locals work together to manage tourism activities, it creates a sense of ownership and fulfillment in their community.
For example, Barpak Village in Gorkha rebuilt itself as a successful CBT destination after the 2015 earthquake by uniting resources and attracting visitors through its unique cultural and natural offerings.
Preservation of Culture and Traditions
CBT enables communities to highlight their prosperous cultural heritage, including traditional dances, music, handicrafts, and culinary arts. By sharing these traditions with guests, locals develop a stronger sense of dignity in their culture. This exchange not only deepens tourist's experience but also helps safeguard traditional knowledge and customs for generations to come.
Encourages visitors to truly interact and connect with local communities
Community-based tourism motivates travelers to move beyond passive observation and actively engage with local communities. By participating in activities like traditional craft-making, sharing meals, or taking part in cultural celebrations, visitors can build influential connections that benefit both themselves and their hosts. These genuine interactions not only create lasting memories but also help connect cultural divides, nurturing mutual respect and a deeper appreciation for diverse ways of life.
Environmental Conservation
Many CBT initiatives actively contribute to conservation efforts. By adopting eco-tourism, local communities embrace sustainable practices to protect their natural habitat. Activities such as reforestation, wildlife protection, and waste management are often crucial to CBT programs in Nepal. These efforts not only preserve biodiversity but also improve the overall quality of life for locals while creating a cleaner and greener environment.
Social Development
The earnings generated from CBT are often reinvested into community infrastructure such as schools, health clinics, and clean water installations. Moreover, CBT facilitates collaboration and collective decision-making, reinforcing social bonds within the community. Women, in particular, often find new possibilities to participate in tourism-related activities, boosting gender equality and empowerment.
Economic Empowerment
One of the most meaningful advantages of CBT is its ability to generate income for rural communities. Unlike traditional tourism, where much of the revenue is taken by external operators, CBT ensures that earnings remain within the society. Locals benefit from hosting tourists, selling handmade crafts, and providing guiding services. This economic support helps enhance living standards and creates possibilities for education and healthcare.
How to avoid the negative impacts of community-based tourism?
CBT demands a delicate approach, as wrong planning or mismanagement can lead to negative outcomes. To ensure its success, it’s vital to address not only the benefits and developmental aspects of CBT but also the potential challenges and unfavorable impacts that may arise. Proper care and thoughtful organization are key to minimizing these risks.
Conflicts in leadership can occur during community activities, but open discussion with community members and all stakeholders plays a vital role in preventing such issues. Establishing a fair and transparent management system through collective agreement is essential to maintain harmony and effective collaboration.
The initial phase of CBT requires sufficient capital, economic resources, knowledge, and management skills to ensure its success. Without these elements, sustaining the ambition long-term can become challenging. A lack of funding and expertise may arise, but this can be handled by providing financial assistance and support to the local community during the startup period. The ultimate goal, however, should be to empower the community to independently manage and sustain the project in the future.
Corruption can pose a significant challenge in underprivileged and economically backward communities. To mitigate this trouble, it is crucial to ensure that all community members benefit fairly from the community-based tourism initiative. Benefits should be circulated equally while also reflecting each individual's role and contribution to the local tourism experience.
Many residents of rural communities struggle to communicate with travelers due to language barriers, particularly a lack of English speaking. This limitation discourages them from fully engaging in tourism activities. To manage this challenge, we can collaborate with translators and focus on teaching English to younger community fellows, empowering them to participate more actively and build their skills for the future.
In the end
When implemented effectively, community-based tourism can become an influential way to enhance the tourism experience. Its success lies in staying dedicated to its purpose, prioritizing win-win outcomes for both communities and travelers, and remaining committed to sustainable tourism practices.
Nepal's approach to the community-based tourism model holds significant potential to reshape the tourism sector, ensuring that the advantages of this booming industry are equally shared among all stakeholders.
