Addressing Organisational Challanges of Cultural Tourism in Rural Areas Through Community-Based Tourism Model

Abstract

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to identify the organisational challenges of cultural tourism development in rural areas and to discuss and address those challenges using the principles of a community-based tourism concept. Methodology -A desk research was conducted to investigate cultural tourism in rural areas and the community-based tourism concept. Then, the case study of Gorski Kotar was introduced as an example of a rural area with potential for further cultural tourism development. Secondary data on Gorski Kotar was gathered from various sources and processed using qualitative approach for the purpose of identifying and analysing the key organisational challenges of cultural tourism in rural areas. Those challenges are discussed in the context of a shift towards community-based tourism and its main principles. Findings -Key organisational issues in the management of cultural tourism in rural areas have been identified and linked to rural community capacities in terms of insufficient social and human capital. In line with the fact that cultural tourism assets are usually an inseparable part of local identity, community-based tourism as a model of tourism developed, owned and controlled by the local community, can be very useful in overcoming organisational problems involved in creating and sustaining tourism products based on local culture. Originality of the research -This paper deals with the rather unexplored topic of analysing organisational elements and challenges as potentially the main causes of success/failure of cultural tourism in rural areas.

Community-Based Tourism: A Panacea for Community Development in Nqileni Village, Eastern Cape, South Africa

“…This rings truth to an old English saying --give a man a fish, he will eat for a day; teach a man to fish he will eat forever‖. This is given credence by an ongoing debate within tourism development research circles on ensuring community participation that will safeguard the maximisation of community benefits and the equitable distribution of such benefits among community members (Durkin et al, 2017). Such endeavours require the recognition of the community's right be involved in any development initiatives aimed at the transformation and development of the destination they call home (Lindstrom and Larson, 2016).…”

“…This then requires a change in behaviour of rural communities who saw need in collective action for the purpose of pursuing a common goal (such as community-based approaches to development) as advocated by the Gandhian philosophy (Petric and Pivcevic, 2016;Soubry et al, 2020). These are given credence by undertakings that are aimed at ensuring community participation that will safeguard the maximisation of community benefits and the equitable distribution of such benefits a mong community members (Durkin et al, 2017). Such endeavours require the recognition of the community's right be involved in any development initiatives aimed at the transformation and development of the destination they call home (Lindstr öm and Larson, 2016).…”

Expansion and Specification of Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes and Practices Survey Model for Community-Based Tourism Development

“…This article also recognizes the "centrality of disadvantaged community members in CBT and their control of CBT" [30,31]. Therefore, it can be said that CBT is about the development, control, and management of CBT ventures in the tourism industry, to obtain collective benefits for the good of the community [2]. It must also be recognized that, when tourism originates and is led by the community, there is a high likelihood that communities will want to take advantage of its socio-economic outcomes [32].…”

“…It can be conceded that CBT development is not easy and, despite its value, it has been criticized for following Western ideas without taking local knowledge into account [14,34]. Some of the key challenges that CBT ventures face include business inexperience, poor education, a poor financial base, power imbalances in the community, competing interests in the community, and the time required to mobilize the community [2]. The World Bank [3] also indicates various challenges that encumber CBT development, including: competition within communities; a lack of expertise, skills, economic awareness, and information; infrastructural challenges; the quality of tourism products; a lack of prioritization for the tourism sector against other community tasks; fears of the possible negative impacts of tourism (such as overtourism or 'voyeurism') if CBT is not properly managed.…”

“…Community-based tourism (CBT) is a popular tourism development strategy [1]. It is a tourism development model is meant to achieve sustainable community development, through enterprises owned and managed by communities for their benefit [2]. According to the World Bank [3], CBT is about adventure tourism, which is a fast growing travel niche today, with visitor growth forecasted to increase from 7% to 10% in the African market.…”