Distributive Justice Issues in Community-Based Tourism

Community-Based Tourism (Cbt)

Community-based tourism is a concept that is difficult to define. This is mainly because of many stakeholders involved in it have made attempts to define it in ways that reflect their respective interests. No matter how it is defined, there are a number of common characteristics in all the definitions. To understand this concept, there is the need to examine what ‘community-based’ is. Van Bibber (1997) defined ‘community-based’ as a philosophical approach that allows communities to have an active role and participate in highlighting and addressing the issues that matter to them. From this understanding, CBT can be described as a type of tourism that gives the residents of a community substantial control over, and active involvement in the production and management of tourism. Additionally, this type of tourism ensures that a major part of the benefits that accrue from tourism remains within the community. Mensah (2017) posited that CBT projects, especially in developing countries, have been used to achieve two things: improved livelihoods for residents of host communities and natural resource conservation. He referred to this as a two-edged sword. One thing is clear about CBT projects: they enable community members to be active stakeholders in the process of decision-making. This positions them for just, equitable, and fair distribution of power (Dei, 2000; Tosun, 2000). Li (2006) believes that in order for communities to partake in the benefits of tourism, for the distribution of the benefits to be fair and just and to ensure the sustainability of tourism resources, there is the need for active local participation in decision-making.