Manajemen Desa Wisata II : Community Based Tourism

Community Based Tourism Principle and Meaning

In this modern period, local communities cannot live in isolation. Thai communities and many similar communities around the world have passed the time of absolute self-reliance and are increasingly dependent upon the outside 'urban' world. Unfortunately, across Thailand, the influence of Mass-Consumerism is precipitating the degradation and destruction of  natural resources crucial to local communities' livelihoods. Fortunately, there are countervailing social trends in Thailand that open up alternative directions for the future of Thai communities. An increasing number of people are becoming aware of the importance of natural resources conservation and of protecting the environment. The democratization of Thai society is opening ever-greater opportunities for members of the public to use their voice, express their opinions and play a role in the direction of social development. At the same time the importance and profile of the issues of human rights and equal treatment under the law are growing in the public conscience. These trends are supported by developments in the United Nations and international institutions and by academics and conservationists who understand sustainable development. The understanding of people in urban society that have connection to rural communities is an essential base for designing and implementing successful development strategies. Tourism is one way to bring people of different backgrounds together. Ideally, tourism seems to offer hosts and visitors a unique opportunity to share their different cultures and points-of-view. Members of different societies are able to share first-hand experiences together and to develop personal relationships which can grow  into powerful alliance contributing towards the sustainable development of society.

            Community Based Tourism (CBT) is a unique type of tourism with characteristics quite different from mass tourism. Those who intend to put CBT into practice need to fully understand the underlying ideas, principles and components behind CBT. CBT is not simply a tourism business that aims at maximizing profits for investors. Rather, it is more concerned with the impact of tourism on the community and environmental resources. CBT emerges from a community development strategy, using tourism as a tool to strengthen the ability of rural community organizations that manage tourism resources with the participation of the local people. However, CBT is far from a perfect, prepackaged solution to community problems. Nor is it a miracle cure or a knight in shining armor that will come to save the community. In fact, if carelessly applied, CBT can cause problems and bring disaster.

            We must know about the principles as a basis of CBT in order to community able to make the tourism sector as a tool of community empowerment, CBT should:

1. Recognize, support and promote community ownership of tourism

2. Involve community members from the start in every aspect

3. Promote community pride

4. Improve the quality of life

5. Ensure environmental sustainability

6. Preserve the unique character and culture of the local area

7. Foster cross-cultural learning

8. Respect cultural differences and human dignity

9. Distribute benefits fairly among community members

10. Contribute a fixed percentage of income to community projects

            In tourism sector, communites know some terms, like 'Community Based Tourism' (CBT), 'Community Based Ecotourism' (CBET), 'Agrotourism', 'Eco' and 'Adventure Tourism' and 'Homestay'. Many community groups that practice 'environmentally friendly' versions of 'community tourism' use a Thai term to define their activities which literally translates as "Conservation Tourism." Broadly speaking, these activities included some form of local, public participation. This is usually translated in English as "Ecotourism". CBT developed from these forms of tourism to become Community-Based Sustainable Tourism (CBST).

            As we discuss before, one of terms is ecotourism. 'Ecotourism' is 'Responsible Travel' in areas containing natural resources that possess endemic characteristics and cultural or historical resources that are integrated into the area's ecological system. Its purpose is to create an awareness among all concerned parties of the need for and the measures used to conserve ecosystems and as such is oriented towards community participation as well as the provision of a joint learning experience in sustainable tourism and environmental management.

Ecotourism considers the following key elements, such as:

-Site  (The destination has natural attractions and unique qualities)

-Management (Tourism is sustainably managed, environmental responsibility is promoted, negative environmental impacts are minimized)

-Process and Activities (Visitors are educated about the environment and ecology of the site, environmental awareness is raised among tourists and stakeholders)

-Participation (The local community participates in the process, income is distributed fairly to raise the quality of life, profits from tourism contribute to the development of the destination)

            To understanding the community situation maximize the capacity of CBT to act as an effective and sustainable community development strategy, we must doing ‘’Holistic’’ is a one that encompasses a complete range of social, cultural, economic, environmental and political development factors. We also divide them in 2 parts, that’s suistainable development and suistinable tourism. Example, in economic sector, Suistainable Development : income from local production, diversivied local economy, self-reliance. Suistainable Tourism : Raise funds for community development, raise the income of local people.

            We must to do a way to evaluate the readiness of the community to manage tourism to build the confidence of the community, such us:

1. Choose a destination.

2. Complete a feasibility study in cooperation with the community

3. Set vision and objectives with the community

4. Develop a plan to prepare the community to manage tourism

5. Set direction for organizational management

6. Design tour programs

7. Train interpretive guides

8. Develop a marketing plan

9. Launch a pilot tour program

10. Monitor and evaluate the process