Local stakeholders participation in developing sustainable community based rural tourism (CBRT): the case of three villages in the East Coast of Malaysia.

Abstract

This paper firstly, discusses the concept of stakeholders participation in
\ndeveloping sustainable community based rural tourism (CBRT) with respect
\nto types of community participation, strengths, motivations and barriers to
\nparticipation in sustainable CBRT. Secondly, a discussion on the survey of
\nlocal stakeholders via questionnaires, which were, carried out in three CBRT
\nsites in the East Coast of Malaysia. This survey was conducted to identify
\nmain reasons for local participation in CBRT, followed by an analysis of
\nlikelihood of local stakeholders to be included in sustainable CBRT’s
\ndecision-making process. 78% of the respondents (a total of 85) indicated
\nthat the likelihood of them being included in decision-making process has
\nimproved. The paper also indicated two major influential factors for greater
\nparticipation of local stakeholders in the decision-making process i.e. good
\nand workable CBRT organisations and presence of strong leadership. This
\npaper concludes by commenting on the proposed process to enhance
\nparticipation of local stakeholders in developing and sustaining sustainable
\nCBRT.