Community-based tourism allows for a real opportunity for communities to receive a fair amount of the revenues generated by tourism. It’s not about just visiting, paying a ridiculous fee and leaving. When travelling in this way, the majority of the amount that the traveler pays will stay within the community itself and not the company who organised the trip: the idea is that the trip will stay in your heart and that you will remember the experience forever. Therefore, this way of travelling has been gaining more and more followers across the world.
People and communities as protagonists
The main difference between community-based tourism (CBT) and other types of travelling is that the visitors completely integrate themselves into the community. They are welcomed into a home of community members and invited to dive deep into their culture and way of life.
CBTS values genuine and sustainable experiences. And when you have an intense experience when visiting a new place there is nothing more genuine. The locals you are visiting will be your hosts and share your day to day experiences, therefore making every trip you make even more unique and valuable.
Tourism as a tool for human and social development
Whoever operates and practices community-based tourism must follow the three pillars of sustainability: economic, social and environmental. First of all, it is necessary to establish a clear and transparent sustainability policy. From how you see the question, which you base your actions on, how you approach the subject in your day to day life etc. In relation to the communities, it must be clear how tourism can foster their development.
Community based tours generally take place in communities located in remote areas. Companies that operate tours of this nature, such as Vivejar, practice the principles of fair trade and greatly value local culture and identity. This means that the majority of the income generated through tourism will stay within the community. As the community improves their conditions, both financially and socially, they will get better and better at receiving new visitors. Everything to make your trip the best possible.
The values of the trip are balanced and fair, made together with the receiving communities.
“Whoever does all this preparation and organization from the communities ends up being the operator. Therefore, there is the cost of developing the tour that the company has to dilute in the creation of prices and packages. All this makes a giant difference in the quality of experience that the visitor will have. And this is the difference that they will pay for: it is unique, humane and sustainable. ” Lucila Egydio, Tourism and Sustainability Consultant.
Genuine, authentic and local experiences
The tours are considered, for the most part, very unique. Since it is not possible to travel with large groups on a large scale, community- based tours are crafted with the responsible traveler in mind.
“It depends a lot on the type and location of each community. But, in general, tours are suitable for travelers who enjoy more organic trips. And that they like original places with human warmth, “explains Lucila.
In short, in community-based tourism it is necessary to like people, because people are the main attraction in this type of tourism. New sensations, tastes and new smells. Many of the communities are located in paradisiacal environments, which makes the trip very enriching.
Families usually like this kind of exchange a lot, which is what it’s all about, the exchange between people. Isn’t it? Just be careful to choose communities that are safe for children. Groups of students, professionals and corporations who want to broaden their horizon also take away a lot from this type of tourism.
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