Community-Based Tourism: Global Perspectives, Benefits, Challenges, and Research Frameworks for Sustainable Development

Abstract

This review synthesizes global and regional perspectives on community-based tourism (CBT), highlighting its evolution from a niche concept to a mainstream development strategy linked to poverty reduction, cultural preservation, and socio-ecological resilience. Drawing on recent literature, the paper examines the opportunities and benefits of CBT alongside persistent challenges. A comparative analysis of CBT implementation in developing and developed nations underscores contextual differences in policy frameworks, land tenure, and community cohesion. The review further explores key research frameworks applied in CBT assessment, including the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF), Social Exchange Theory (SET), and Community Capitals Framework (CCF), as well as global guidelines like the AlUla Framework and practical models such as community-based ecotourism (CBET). Special attention is given to SLF and its adaptation for tourism (SLFT), outlining its strengths, applications, and limitations. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need for integrated, participatory, and resilience-oriented frameworks to ensure CBT delivers inclusive and sustainable outcomes, particularly in developing regions such as African countries.