Community-based tourism activities at Quang Loi commune, Thua Thien Hue province

Abstract

The study was conducted at the Tam Giang – Quang Loi ecotourism site in Thua Thien Hue province. Its primary objectives are twofold: (1) to examine the current status of community-based tourism (CBT) development at Quang Loi commune, considering the perspectives of both tourists and CBT service providers, and (2) to identify key issues and propose solutions to enhance the local CBT development model. We employed an action research methodology involving the active participation of 32 households directly engaged in CBT activities at the local level. Additionally, we interviewed 93 tourists benefiting and experiencing the CBT services at the site and representatives from relevant stakeholders. These efforts aimed to analyse the effectiveness of innovative approaches in CBT service development. The findings shed light on the primary challenge facing the CBT model in Quang Loi, which pertains to establishing operational mechanisms and the equitable distribution of benefits among stakeholders, particularly the local community. Furthermore, we evaluated the potential and limitations of recently introduced services and tours, thereby laying a foundation for more impactful improvements in the CBT model at Quang Loi in the future.