University Community Engagement in Community-Based Tourism: Exploring Possibilities from some International Experiences

Journal of Social Research & Policy, Volume: 10, Issue: 2, Online First

Date: December 2019

ISSN: 2067-2640 (print), 2068-9861 (electronic)

Abstract: In the rapidly changing and competitive tourism industry, capacity building and the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) thereof is critical. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the significance of community-based tourism (CBT) in enhancing the economic growth of a community, as well as to explore the roles and engagement of higher education institutions in aiding CBT capacity building. Due to the dearth of information relating to CBT capacity building and its monitoring and evaluation, a documentary analysis of both the regional and global interventions in CBT capacity building has been presented. The authors propose a framework for university CBT capacity building and monitoring and evaluation in which the various stakeholders could play significant roles, depending on the institution’s commitment to CBT and the capacity of the respective communities. This article is significant in that it proposes a platform for future studies and policy development in CBT capacity building and monitoring and evaluation, with both the university and communities as equal partners.

Keywords: University Community Engagement; Tourism; Community-Based Tourism; Capacity Building.