Community Participation toward Tourism Development and Conservation Program in Rural World Heritage Sites

Abstract

Community participation in tourism development and World Heritage Site WHS conservation management is essential for the sustainable development of WHS destinations. Local communities play a significant role in reviving and sustaining WHSs. Community participation ranges from involvement in the decision-making processes at the highest level down to economic involvement and the promotion of the destination at the lowest level. What shape community participation ultimately takes depends on the circumstance of destinations. This study attempts to review the current community participation literature with respect to rural WHS destinations, synthesising the current literature by way of a systematic review. The findings reveal a preference among rural WHS residents for economic involvement and destination promotion rather than participation in the decision-making process. The findings of this study expand upon the community participation literature, clarifying the concept in the context of rural WHS destinations. In addition, the results have practical implications for local authorities responsible for the sustainable conservation management and tourism development of rural WHS that these seemingly competing objectives are best achieved by involving local residents in economic activities and increasing their benefits from tourism.

Indigenous participation in conservation and tourism development: A case of native people of Sabah, Malaysia

“…In addition, if they perceive more economic impacts, not only do they tend to be more supportive tourism development, but they also tent to show an interest in participating in the process of conservation and tourism development (Andereck et al, ; Látková & Vogt, ; Nicholas et al, ; Rasoolimanesh et al, ). However, the effect of the perceived social impacts is less important for rural residents (Rasoolimanesh & Jaafar, ) and indigenous people. This finding is consistent with several previous studies that report a significant effect for residents' positive perceptions of the impacts toward tourism development on their participation in conservation programs and tourism development processes (Gursoy et al, ; Hung et al, ; Jaafar et al, ; Jepson et al, ; Walpole & Goodwin, ).…”

“…Moreover, among indigenous communities, tourism can have a number of positive side effects, such as poverty reduction. That said, although tourism can also have a number of negative side effects, these side effects can often be mitigated with the involvement of the local community (Rasoolimanesh & Jaafar, ; Scheyvens, ). In the context of indigenous tourism, productive community involvement is contingent upon having mutually beneficial relationships, whether between people and the environment or between people and people.…”

“…Moreover, among indigenous communities, tourism can have a number of positive side effects, such as poverty reduction. That said, although tourism can also have a number of negative side effects, these side effects can often be mitigated with the involvement of the local community (Rasoolimanesh & Jaafar, 2016;Scheyvens, 2007).…”

“…The impacts of tourism on local communities can be classified in terms of their economic, social, and environmental effects. Previous studies have identified a number of positive economic impacts of tourism on destination communities, including increased family incomes and more employment opportunities (Andereck et al, 2005;Rasoolimanesh & Jaafar, 2016). For indigenous people, tourism can alleviate poverty, diversify economic activities, and increase the demand for and sale of indigenous goods and services (Bennett, Lemelin, Koster, & Budke, 2012;Dyer et al, 2003;Wu et al, 2014).…”

“…Therefore, public sector agencies at all levels, as well as private sector operators, should be sensitive to the needs, preferences, and priorities of indigenous communities (Carr, Ruhanen, & Whitford, 2016). Moreover, the involvement of local communities in the planning and management of conservation efforts not only increases the participation of people, but it enhances the connection between local communities and the goals of regional biodiversity conservation (Brandon & Wells, 1992;Rasoolimanesh & Jaafar, 2016). Consequently, community participation in conservation and tourism development should be seen an essential ingredient in the sustainable future development of a destination (Nicholas, Thapa, & Ko, 2009;Yung & Chan, 2011).…”