Community-Based Tourism - The Case of the Butrint National Park South Albania
Author:Gorica Klodiana - Ph.D., Franka Paloka
JEL:
DOI:
Keywords:Sustainable;
• Ecotourism;
• Community Based Tourism;Ecoturism;
Abstract:
The concept of Community Based
Tourism (CBT) has been a further development
within the sustainable tourism approach.
Drawing from the theories and practice of
participatory development, it specifically
focuses on the impact tourism may have on
local communities with the aim of maximizing
benefits in terms of jobs, wealth, and support
for local culture and industry, and protection of
the built and natural environment. Thus the
challenge is to put local communities at the
center of tourism initiatives and supports in an
effort to create win-win solutions concerning
the management of tourism destinations. CBT
is planned with the goal of preserving local
natural and cultural assets, so that both
residents and visitors may benefit from the
tourism experience.
Dealing with culture and sustainable
development should be done within the
objective of promoting sustainable
development in the region and conserve the
Butrint National Park (BNP), by engaging
surrounding communities in the development
of community-based tourism products and
services. The underlying assumption of
intervention is that CBT assists in the
conservation of BNP’s cultural and natural
values by demonstrating the Park’s potential to
the local communities in order to generate
sustainable economic activities.