CULTURE THROUGH COMMUNITY BASED RURAL TOURISM (CBRT) Lessons from - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

REVITALIZATION OF LOCAL SOCIO- CULTURE THROUGH COMMUNITY BASED RURAL TOURISM (CBRT) Lessons from three communities in the East Coast of Malaysia Khairul Hisyam Kamarudin khairulhkamarudin.wordpress.com

INT NTRODUCT ODUCTION ION  Tourism sector has become one of the major contributors to development as well as an agent of change for many parts of the world.  The strengths of tourism are described in various forms; as a tool in economic and physical development and a mean to enhance the social and human capital development and conservation of natural environment (Graci and Dodds, 2010; T wining-Ward, 2007).  In rural areas especially in developing countries, tourism development had been eagerly embraced as a panacea for revitalizing the rural economy (TPRG, 2009).

INT NTRODUCT ODUCTION ION  Since the concept of sustainable development came into the development and conservation debate, many government agencies, particularly tourism-related bodies, have also invested heavily to promote more sustainable forms of tourism in rural areas (Bernardo, 2011).  UNRISD in 2011 in their conference “Green Economy and Sustainable Development: Bringing Back the Social Dimension” raised a concern with tendencies of many developing country governments and societies to centralize the goal of sustainable development is to fulfil their economic gains.

INT NTRODUCT ODUCTION ION …… it is important to direct attention to social dimensions of development associated with equity, livelihood security, social protection and empowerment. Social dimensions of green economy are often addressed in terms of green jobs, green consumerism, and the kinds of education/retraining, social safety nets and social dialogue required facilitating the transition. While poverty eradication is increasingly accepted as a goal of green economy, it is often assumed that it will follow inevitably from low- carbon growth. Unless social dimensions are addressed more centrally and comprehensively, there is a danger that efforts to connect green economy, sustainable development and poverty eradication will fail. (www.unrisd.org. Retrieved: 11/10/2011).

PILL LLARS ARS OF OF ST AND ND CBRT Sustaina ainable le Tourism ism (S (ST) T)  According to The Oxford English Dictionary (2005: 920), sustainable is the adjectival form of the verb “to sustain” which means to “keep something going over time or continuously” .  In the context of sustainable tourism, it simply can be defined as “tourism which is in a form which can maintain its viability in an area for an indefinite period of time” .  The World Tourism Organisation (WTO, in McKercher, 2003: 4) on the other hand, prefers to define sustainable tourism development with some direct interpretation from the original definition by the Brundtland Report.

PILL LLARS ARS OF OF ST AND ND CBRT Sustaina ainable le Tourism ism (S (ST) T)  “tourism which leads to management of all resources in such a way that economic, social and aesthetic needs can be filled while maintaining cultural integrity, essentials ecological processes, biological diversity and life support systems” (WTO, in McKercher, 2003: 4).  This definition indicates the importance of sustainable tourism both in the sustainable growth of tourism’s contribution to the economy as well as to society, and the sustainable use and management of resources and environment.

PILL LLARS ARS OF OF ST AND ND CBRT Aspe pect cts s of Descr cripti ption on Sustain tainab ability ty 1 Economic Form partnership in the supply chain at all levels of business  Sustainability Use international standards and guidelines for training and certification  (profitable in Promote ethical and environmental conscious behaviour among clients  immediate and Diversify tourist activities and tourism products  long terms) Provide funds to assist in training, marketing and product development  Provide incentives for businesses to adopt sustainability principles  2 Ecological Establish codes of practices for tourism at all levels  Sustainability Establish guidelines for tourism operations, impact assessment and  (maintains monitoring of cumulative impacts essential Formulate tourism policies and development strategies at all levels that  ecological are consistent with the objectives of sustainable development processes, Establish baseline environmental impact assessment studies  biological Ensure the design, planning, development and operation of facilities  diversity and incorporate sustainability principles resources) Ensure tourism in sensitive areas is incorporated into proper  management plans Monitor and conduct research on the actual impacts of tourism  Identify and promote responsible tourist behaviour  Source: adapted from McKercher, 2003: 4-5

PILL LLARS ARS OF OF ST AND ND CBRT Aspe pect cts s of Descr cripti ption on Sustain tainab ability ty 3 Cultural Initiate tourism with assistance from broad based community  Sustainability input (compatible with Establish education and training programmes to improve and  the cultures and manage heritage and natural resources values of host Conserve cultural diversity  community and Respect land and property rights of traditional inhabitants  strengthens Protect nature, local, indigenous culture and traditional  identity) knowledge Depict indigenous culture and community accurately and  respectfully Encourage the use of traditional skills  Educate tourist about desirable and acceptable behaviour  4 Community Maintain local control over tourism development and  Sustainability management (benefits local Provide quality employment to community residents  community and Encourage businesses to contribute positively to local communities  generates income) Ensure equitable distribution of financial benefits in the supply  chain Provide financial incentives for local businesses to enter tourism  Improve local human resource capacity  Source: adapted from McKercher, 2003: 4-5

CBRT : : Soci cio-Cul Culture ture Cost sts s & B & Bene nefits fits  The definition of community based rural tourism takes rural environmental, social and cultural sustainability into account (Kamarudin, 2013).  It is managed and owned by the community with funding and assistance from government agencies or the NGOs, for the community, with the purpose of enabling visitors to increase their awareness and learn about the community and local way of life (TPRG, 2009; Sebele, 2009).  Sustainable CBRT provides tourists with a more authentic view of a particular place and culture while preserving cultural authenticity, protecting the natural environment and ensuring local ownership.

CBRT : : Soci cio-Cul Culture ture Cost sts s & B & Bene nefits fits Socio io-cult ultural ural benefits fits Socio io-cult ultural ural costs ts The development of sustainable CBRT contributes T ourism can act as a catalyst in the to a variety of socio-cultural benefits to rural process of acculturation with traditional, communities: remote and small-scale rural communities – vulnerable to outside influence: The maintenance and support of local services,  such as public transport and health care. Increases in crime and other antisocial  New facilities and attractions, such as cultural behaviour.  or entertainment facilities or recreational Congestion and crowding which  centres. impinges on the day to day life and Increased social contact in more isolated privacy of local residents.  communities (aboriginal communities) and Destruction of indigenous culture. The  opportunities for cultural exchange. introduction of new ideas, styles and Greater awareness and the revitalisation of behavioural modes which challenge  local customs, crafts and cultural identities. traditional culture and values. Reduce gender imbalance through the Reinforcement of perceptions of   development of the role of women in more women’s employment as a low paid, traditional or isolated rural communities. part-time extension of the domestic Instillation of a sense of local pride, self-esteem role.  and identity through collective community activity. Source: Stone and Stone, 2011; Nguru, 2010; Logar, 2009; TPRG, 2009; Sharpley and Sharpley, 1997

CBRT : : Soci cio-Cul Culture ture Cost sts s & B & Bene nefits fits  Logar (2009) who investigated a case of CBRT in Crikvenica, Croatia pointed out that the community-based tourism has increased awareness among local people about their own culture and customs, crafts and cultural identities.  Establishment of sustainable CBRT projects also creates opportunities for various groups (e.g. women, elderly and young people) within local communities to participate, especially in cultural performance as musicians and dancers, and owners of local crafts and souvenir shops (Stone and Stone, 2011; Dyer et. al., 2003).