Following criticism of the negative impacts of mass tourism
around the world since the 1960s, the search for ‘alternative’
forms of tourism, with fewer impacts on the environment and
society began to emerge. During the 1960s and early 1970s,
development agencies began looking for the right approach to
sustainability, and community participation was emphasized
(Sebele, 2010: 136). Sustainable tourism literature moved in
parallel by promoting the involvement of local communities in
tourism. Local residents were seen as a key resource in sustaining
their “products” (Ibid.)