Understanding Communitybased tourism

This year has been an interesting one, full of uncertainties. Many communities have been affected by COVID- 19 and the word recovery has become the order of the day for many industries. We can acknowledge from what we see on social media that domestic tourism is indeed picking up in the country. The type of tourist in Botswana has changed significantly with no choice but to only travel in the country. Before COVID- 19 community- based tourism ( CBT) was beginning to grow significantly particularly towards the north of Botswana. Community- based tourism and other sub- branches of sustainable tourism are normally centred in communities and have been commonly applied as vehicles for rural development in peripheral areas. During these unprecedented times one can only imagine the impact that COVID- 19 has had on rural com

munities as viable community based tourism has been an instrument for poverty reduction, offering opportunities for conservation and rural economic development. Because of these benefits, some community- based tourism initiatives have become community- development projects in areas such as Tsodilo Hills World Heritage site among others. Community- based tourism is ‘ tourism owned and/ or managed by communities, and intended to deliver wider community benefit’. Although there are many definitions of community- based tourism, the main aspects that characterise it are community control and management, conservation of culture and nature, empowerment, and community development. We often confuse community- based tourism with rural tourism. Rural tourism comprises of small- scale enterprises, characterised by open space, availability of natural and cultural heritage, traditional practices, connections with local families, growth that is slow and organic, local control, and sustainability. Likewise, in CBT, the role of authenticity takes central importance; it is based on tourists’ expectations of original experiences, which is particularly relevant to the field of cultural- heritage tourism. Scholars describe rural tourism and CBT as being commonly centered on providing a genuine representation of lifestyles and cultures, including their distinctive sense of place and pride. While we rediscover Botswana for recovery of the industry, it is important for communities in settlements, villages, towns and cities to come together and realise the potential of community- based tourism initiatives within their respective areas. While the country grapples with economic recovery, citizens have the potential to start their own community- based tourism projects, similar to the Motshelo concept, a community can raise funds to procure a village tour donkey cart, a food preparation expo, beadwork exhibition and training, ziplining equipment for an area will good scenery. The list is endless. It is time to understand community- based tourism better it is not rural tourism and it has the potential to unlock hidden treasures within domestic tourism.