The Power of Community-Based Tourism: Empowering Locals, Enriching Travel

By Rajeeka Ranathunga

In an era where travelers crave more than just sightseeing, Community-Based Tourism (CBT) is transforming the way people explore the world. Gone are the days when tourism was solely about ticking off destinations. Today, it’s about meaningful connections, cultural immersion, and making a positive impact for both for the visitor and the host.

What Is Community-Based Tourism?

Unlike conventional tourism, CBT is designed, managed, and run by local communities. It ensures that economic benefits stay within the community, while also preserving cultural traditions and protecting the natural environment. It’s tourism with a conscience, where travelers become part of the destination’s living story.

Why CBT Matters

CBT is more than just a trend; it’s a powerful movement built on the values of empowerment, sustainability, and mutual respect. It empowers communities, particularly marginalized groups by creating jobs and entrepreneurship. It also invites visitors to learn, share, and experience life through the lens of a local.

Key Benefits of CBT:

• Economic Inclusion: Generates income and employment opportunities for underserved populations, reducing poverty.
• Cultural Preservation: Encourages communities to maintain and share their traditions, crafts, and customs in authentic ways.
• Environmental Protection: Promotes eco-friendly practices and safeguards natural resources.
• Cross-Cultural Understanding: Builds lasting bonds between locals and travelers through shared experiences and mutual learning.

What Does a CBT Experience Look Like?

CBT experiences include:

• Homestays – Staying in family-run guesthouses with home-cooked meals.
• Hands-On Workshops – Engaging in crafts, cooking, or farming activities alongside locals.
• Nature Adventures – Exploring trails and ecosystems with local communities

• Though it may not offer five-star luxury, CBT delivers something far richer: real human connection, cultural insight, and transformative travel experiences.

The Four Pillars of Successful CBT:

1. Authenticity – True-to-life experiences over staged or commercialized offerings.
2. Sustainability – Environmentally responsible operations with long-term community benefits.
3. Community Ownership – Local control over decision-making ensures fair profit-sharing.
4. Capacity Building – Training locals to provide high-quality, traveler-friendly services.

Sri Lankan Examples

Hiriwadunna village and Habarana are notable examples of successful community-based tourism (CBT) initiatives in Sri Lanka,

Hiriwadunna is a well-developed CBT destination where visitors can enjoy authentic rural experiences such as bullock cart rides, landmaster rides, and boat rides across the scenic village landscape. Tourists are also treated to traditional village meals, with live demonstrations of local cooking methods.

In contrast, the Habarana Community-Based Tourism Organisation is a newly formed initiative, supported by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), offering landmaster rides, boat rides, and river kayaking as well as village meals. This CBT project is particularly notable for being managed by women from low-income rural communities, providing them with valuable opportunities for economic empowerment.

Challenges and the Road Ahead

Despite its promise, CBT faces hurdles. Limited infrastructure, lack of marketing resources, lack of trainings to the local communities hinder its full potential. Greater investment, policy support, and collaboration with ethical tour operators are essential for CBT to thrive globally.

How Travelers Can Support CBT:

• Choose Ethical Operators – Book tours that work with local communities.
• Respect Cultures – Engage with an open heart and mind.

A More Ethical, Immersive Future for Tourism

Community-Based Tourism isn’t just a way to travel, it’s a movement toward a more sustainable world. As travelers increasingly seek authentic, enriching experiences, CBT offers a model where tourism becomes a force for good. In choosing CBT, travelers take more than photos; they take lessons in humanity, and they leave behind a legacy of support, respect, and empowerment.