Community Based Tourism (CBT) Planning and Possibilities: The Case of Shahmirzad, Iran

Abstract

One of the critical issues regarding mass tourism is that communities have not been necessarily part of the decision making process in its development; therefore, have not been necessarily a beneficiary of its social and economic benefits. Most of the tourism development projects have designed without those communities’ consent and mostly disregarded the community’s involvement and not benefited from community’s immense knowledge and cooperation. However, there has been a shift in the general attitude of governments, development agencies and NGOs and they are giving considerable emphasis to the Community–based tourism (CBT) as a primary development strategy to support poverty reduction, rural development, and strengthening the social capital of the remote communities. development model and direct the tourism planning towards communities and their interests, Community–based tourism (CBT) has been planned and implemented in similar small towns and rural areas where economic activities based on primary resources have been dwindling and consequently economic hardship has been experienced. In addition, environmental concerns, subsidized agriculture, recreational needs, and sustainable development have become challenging issues in rural areas to make the transition and diversify the economy. EU’s rural tourism policy is very well based on this process (Burton, 1995; Gannon, 1994). Community– based tourism (CBT) centers on the involvement of the host community in planning and maintenance of tourism development in order to develop a sustainable economic base (Hall, 1996). This study will focuses on Shahmirzad’s passage from a primary agrarian-based economy to possible CBT with respect to its resources, public sector’s agenda, and foremost the community’s involvement and prospects towards establishment of CBT. While Shahmirzad’s tourism boom is a spontaneous process, the question remains to be answered is to what extend tourism development is in line with the principles of CBT and whether a proactive strategy is in place to achieve this? To examine the processes and characteristics of tourism development in Shahmirzad, and to explore whether its direction is in line with CBT pertinent to the construction of public infrastructure and the conservation of natural and cultural heritage, providing cultural pride, greater awareness of the natural environment, and a sense of ownership in the communities, as well as, an active participation in the process of tourism planning. To achieve the aim of the research, quantitative method based on survey questionnaires have been utilized and the data collected which analyzed through application of SPSS. In the meantime, a semi-structured interview with the public sector officials was conducted to assess the public sectors’ attitude and awareness of this process. Findings revealed that tourism development in Shahmirzad has been reactive and not proactive; secondly, the location and climate along with unique heritage sites plays an important role in attracting tourists. Furthermore, government’s attitude has remained passive and community’s involvement in tourism has not been based on a deliberate strategy with respect to product development, sustainability, and community consent.