The Importance of Community-Based Tourism in a Developing Country: A Study on the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh

Shelamony Hafsa ¹, Mohammed Mosaraf Hossain ^2*

Community-Based Tourism (CBT) can empower marginalized communities in Bangladesh's Chittagong Hill Tracts, fostering sustainable development and cultural preservation.

Abstract

Community-based tourism has emerged as a transformative model in developing countries, aiming to enhance livelihoods and socio-economic status within local communities. Despite its widespread application globally, rural areas of Bangladesh, such as the Chittagong Hill Tracts, have seen limited adoption of this approach. This study investigates the potential of community-based tourism within the context of developing countries, with a specific focus on its applicability in the Chittagong Hill Tracts to uplift marginalized communities. Qualitative methods were employed to explore the positive impacts of community-based tourism, drawing insights from various scholarly articles, books, newspapers, publications of national and international organizations, and online resources. The findings underscore the potential of community-based tourism to alleviate poverty, foster socio-economic development, and promote natural and cultural conservation. Moreover, it highlights the importance of mitigating the adverse effects that traditional tourism often imposes on local communities. It is recommended that Bangladesh's tourism policymakers embrace the community-based tourism model to maximize tourism benefits while bolstering the livelihoods of indigenous communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. By integrating this approach, there is an opportunity to empower local residents economically and culturally, thereby contributing to sustainable development goals within the region. This paradigm shift could not only diversify tourism offerings but also ensure equitable distribution of tourism revenues, fostering inclusive growth and community resilience.

Keywords: Community-based Tourism, Community Development, Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh.

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