Limits to community participation in the tourism development process in developing countries

Abstract

This study deals with a normative concept of participatory development approach, which originates in the developed world. In particular, it analyses and explains the limitations to the participatory tourism development approach in the context of developing countries. It was found that there are operational, structural and cultural limits to community participation in the TDP in many developing countries although they do not equally exist in every tourist destination. Moreover, while these limits tend to exhibit higher intensity and greater persistence in the developing world than in the developed world, they appear to be a re#ection of prevailing socio-political, economic and cultural structure in many developing countries. On the other hand, it was also found that although these limitations may vary over time according to types, scale and levels of tourism development, the market served, and cultural attributes of local communities, forms and scale of tourism developed are beyond the control of local communities. It concludes that formulating and implementing the participatory tourism development approach requires a total change in sociopolitical, legal, administrative and economic structure of many developing countries, for which hard political choices and logical decisions based on cumbersome social, economic and environmental trade-o!s are sine qua non alongside deliberate help, collaboration and co-operation of major international donor agencies, NGOs, international tour operators and multinational companies.

Desires of Community Participation in Tourism Development Decision Making Process: A Case Study of Barabarani, Mto Wa Mbu, Tanzania

“…Such obstacles are similar to those identified in the literature on community participation in tourism in developing countries (Cole, 2006;Manyara & Jones, 2007;Tosun, 2000). They include: low levels of interest showed by local people in following up issues beyond their immediate family domain (apathy); poor coordination between involved parties (ordinary members of the local community and their leaders); low levels of awareness of the whole idea of community involvement coupled with low level of education.…”

“…A critical review of tourism literature reveals that community participation in tourism development can be examined from two angels: participation of the local community in the decision-making process and in the sharing of tourism benefits (Chok & Macbeth, 2007;Li, 2005;Marzuki et al, 2012;Nault & Stapleton, 2011;Tosun, 2000;Timothy, 1999;Havel 1996Havel , 2008Zhao & Ritchie, 2007). Similarly, literature shows that evaluations of public participation programs typically fall into two types.…”

“…Community participation in the decisionmaking process is a crucial determinant to ensure that the benefits local communities get from tourism are partly guaranteed, and their lifestyles and values are respected (Chok & Macbeth, 2007;Li, 2005;Tosun, 2000;Timothy, 1999). Community participation not only leads to getting local community support for the industry but also acts as a crucial component to achieving sustainable development of the industry (Cole, 2006;Okazaki, 2008).…”

“…Such barriers include; centralization of public administration, lack of co-ordination, lack of information, insufficient data and poor dissemination of information (Tosun, 2000). There is also a low level of interest by residents in taking part in matters beyond their immediate family domain (apathy) and a low level of awareness in the local community as people are generally not wellinformed.…”

“…Today, many development initiatives solicit the participation of all concerned stakeholders to address the inefficiency of highly centralized development approaches particularly in developing countries. This is not only for the sake of efficiency and equity of the programmes, leverage of donors and demands of local communities, but also for the sustainability of these initiatives (Baral & Heinen, 2007;Okazaki, 2008;Tosun, 2000).…”