In this review, the theoretical perspectives which influence sustainable tourism for
development are identified. Despite the broad goals of sustainable tourism development
and community development being prioritised differently, the expected outcomes
demonstrate some overlap. In practice, sustainable tourism and community development
goals are dependent on each other. These include the need for developing sustainable
tourism products which target viable niche markets to provide economic benefits and
support conservation goals for the community. The economic benefits from tourism are
important in the achievement of community development goals by funding social
development. Sustainability goals for tourism development also serve to protect the natural
and cultural assets of the community.
The outcomes of sustainable tourism development and community development goals are,
in practice, affected by the stakeholder environment in which the implementation of CBT
(as a model of sustainable tourism development) must operate. These stakeholders are
external and internal. External stakeholders affect the practice of implementing CBT by
influencing the theoretical foundations of CBT. The inherent risks include the inconsistent
use of various definitions and terminology. Internal stakeholders, i.e., those directly
involved with the implementation of CBT in the community, are faced with the practical
challenges of implementing CBT due to the specific nature of the community and cultural
contexts. This is challenging as the various motives of the stakeholder groups and their
different perspectives will affect the implementation of CBT.
Where these challenges prevail, the outcomes for the practice of CBT do not reflect positive
development goals. The theoretical challenges leave practitioners without clear information
or models to guide effective CBT implementation. In the field, power imbalances are created
by the various agendas of internal stakeholders, and clear, consistent goals for CBT cannot
be established.
Informed by the literature, Figure 1.1 below illustrates the theoretical framework that
underpins this research.