Community-Based Tourism Development as a Sustainability Strategy for Local Tourism Destinations: A Systematic Literature Review
Keywords:
Community-Based Tourism, Sustainable Tourism, Community Participation, Economic Development, Environmental ProtectionAbstract
Community-Based Tourism (CBT) has emerged as a strategic approach to achieving sustainable tourism development by integrating community participation, socio-economic benefits, and environmental conservation. This study places CBT in the context of sustainable development and highlights key dimensions influencing the sustainability of local tourism destinations. Purpose: This research aims to review and synthesize existing literature on CBT development as a sustainability strategy and to conceptualize relationships among social, economic, and environmental dimensions within CBT frameworks. Methods: A Systematic Literature Review (SLR) was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Articles were retrieved from the Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases using predefined keywords. From an initial identification of 42 publications published between 2000 and 2024, 28 peer-reviewed articles met the inclusion criteria after the screening and eligibility assessment stages. The selected studies were analyzed using thematic analysis and a review matrix to identify conceptual trends, key dimensions, governance mechanisms, and sustainability outcomes of CBT initiatives. Results: CBT significantly supports sustainable tourism by empowering communities, preserving culture, ensuring equitable income, and promoting environmental responsibility. Community participation and effective management structures are key to achieving sustainable outcomes.. Conclusion: CBT represents a holistic and viable strategy for sustainable local tourism development across diverse local tourism settings.
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