Community-Based Tourism

In recent years, we've seen the development and spread of Community-Based Tourism (CBT). This is a special brand of tourism based on small travel companies that are created, managed, and owned by local and indigenous peoples.

Throughout the world, there exist communities of people who realize that the place they call "home" is special, and that it will attract visitors. With today's easy exchange of information, photos, etc., they know that, one way or another, tourists will come. And, in many cases, these communities understand that they can benefit from limited, well-managed tourism. In fact, for some such communities, it's their best hope for cultural and economic survival.

These communities accept tourism cautiously, however, because they've heard stories about the damage tourism has done to other communites. And they're determined not to let that happen to theirs. They want to ensure that, as tourism develops, their local community, culture, and environment will be respected and preserved. In other words, they're committed to sustainable tourism.

This is an exciting, positive trend in tourism, and it's one that has great potential for preserving the authenticity and integrity of these special places and cultures.

Green.travel already features many Community-Based Tourism companies and will continue to include more as we identify them around the world. In addition, we're pleased to feature and promote these CBT entities free-of-charge on Green.travel.