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What's the Alternative to Alltournative? Examining the Potential of Community-Based Tourism for Sustainable Development of Rural Communities in Quintana Roo, Mexico

Wall, Elise LU (2009) MIDM70 20091
LUMID International Master programme in applied International Development and Management
Abstract
Tourism has recently been acknowledged as a potential means for sustainable development. This study examined what tourism has meant for the community members involved in community based tourism (CBT) projects in rural Quintana Roo, Mexico, with regards to the sustainable development of their communities. The study used a qualitative case study research design to compare two different approaches to CBT with respect to four key dimensions identified by existing literature as important for a tourism project that successfully promotes sustainable development – participation, economic, environmental and social sustainability. Findings indicated that while the private sector initiative, Alltournative, excelled at promoting the economic aspects... (More)
Tourism has recently been acknowledged as a potential means for sustainable development. This study examined what tourism has meant for the community members involved in community based tourism (CBT) projects in rural Quintana Roo, Mexico, with regards to the sustainable development of their communities. The study used a qualitative case study research design to compare two different approaches to CBT with respect to four key dimensions identified by existing literature as important for a tourism project that successfully promotes sustainable development – participation, economic, environmental and social sustainability. Findings indicated that while the private sector initiative, Alltournative, excelled at promoting the economic aspects of development, there was room for improvement with regards to the other dimensions. Conversely Puerta Verde, a civil society organization also engaging in CBT in the area, has been challenged to secure funding and market the project but has been very successful in promoting social and environmental sustainability while working towards independence for local community cooperatives through participation and training. This research contributes academically by increasing the understanding we have of how local people feel about tourism initiatives. It improves the knowledge of CBT impacts by using perceptions as the measurement rather than quantitative indicators, which is thus far lacking in tourism research today. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Wall, Elise LU
supervisor
organization
course
MIDM70 20091
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
private sector, tourism, sustainable development, civil society, rural development
language
English
id
1474115
date added to LUP
2010-05-07 13:12:44
date last changed
2010-05-07 13:12:44
@misc{1474115,
  abstract     = {{Tourism has recently been acknowledged as a potential means for sustainable development. This study examined what tourism has meant for the community members involved in community based tourism (CBT) projects in rural Quintana Roo, Mexico, with regards to the sustainable development of their communities. The study used a qualitative case study research design to compare two different approaches to CBT with respect to four key dimensions identified by existing literature as important for a tourism project that successfully promotes sustainable development – participation, economic, environmental and social sustainability. Findings indicated that while the private sector initiative, Alltournative, excelled at promoting the economic aspects of development, there was room for improvement with regards to the other dimensions. Conversely Puerta Verde, a civil society organization also engaging in CBT in the area, has been challenged to secure funding and market the project but has been very successful in promoting social and environmental sustainability while working towards independence for local community cooperatives through participation and training. This research contributes academically by increasing the understanding we have of how local people feel about tourism initiatives. It improves the knowledge of CBT impacts by using perceptions as the measurement rather than quantitative indicators, which is thus far lacking in tourism research today.}},
  author       = {{Wall, Elise}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{What's the Alternative to Alltournative? Examining the Potential of Community-Based Tourism for Sustainable Development of Rural Communities in Quintana Roo, Mexico}},
  year         = {{2009}},
}