South African community-based tourism operational guidelines: Analysis and critical review

Abstract

Community-based tourism (CBT), similar to tourism in general, is growing in relevance and importance as a field of research. The growing interest in CBT has led to the production of various handbooks, manuals and/or guidelines on CBT development. The tourism sector in South Africa is growing, and the South African government has realized the relevance of community involvement in tourism. Lately, the South African government has also produced CBT guidelines. Within this context, this article, while not excluding general issues concerning CBT, specifically pays attention to the main issues related to CBT and correlates them with the South African CBT guidelines. The aim of this paper, therefore, is to critically review how certain fundamental CBT principles are presented and interpreted in the South African CBT guidelines. The article intends to contribute to the growing literature on CBT. The conclusion reveals that the South African CBT guidelines provide a very broad understanding and interpretation of CBT. This should be seen as a weakness and a danger for implementing CBT.