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!
Village Donation, Ecuador
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Journey to a village near Guamote and make a donation based on the needs of the community and learn about their daily lives. The exact nature of the donation will be decided prior to our visit in conjunction with the local community and could include such things as clothing and shoes, school essentials and livestock to name a few.
Village Lunch, Sri Lanka
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Visit a local village near Sigiriya and be welcomed into a local home for a traditional lunch. Get acquainted with the traditions of the local family as we watch how they prepare their meals, learn some traditional cooking techniques and enjoy a delicious meal together.
Cooking Class, Georgia
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Be welcomed by a local family for a cooking class of dishes from the Kakheti region. Enjoy the creations for lunch with music performed by polyphonic singers.
Maasai Mara Village, Kenya
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Get a glimpse into the lives of the traditional inhabitants of the Maasai Mara, named for the Maasai people.
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: