Community-based tourism : an opportunity? : the case of Malta

Abstract

Community-based tourism (CBT) is for the community, it entails community control at the local level and community decision-making. By contributing towards an additional source of income from tourism revenue, CBT improves the standard of living of the community. This research commences with a review of the scholarly literature drawing common concepts and lessons learnt from examples of CBT, mainly in developing countries, but still applicable to developed countries. An analysis of Malta’s Tourism Policies in terms of their inclusion of CBT or related concepts is presented. This is followed by primary research using interviews with tourism and local council stakeholders. The findings reveal that CBT has already kicked-off in Malta, however, there are a number of initiatives which have to be introduced, including the participation by the locals in policy-making. Another important finding is that currently individual local residents are not participating in the CBT initiatives whereas organisations or local councils provide the tourism product. A limitation which stands out in this research is that since CBT in Malta is in its initial stages, while some of the benefits are evident already, the negative impacts could not be assessed. This research confirms that CBT is an opportunity for Malta, however, to ensure its success, challenges have to be addressed. Consequently, a number of recommendations are presented and may be relevant to local councils, to government and stakeholders, including the proposal that CBT should be included in Malta’s Tourism Policy.