Community based tourism is tourism provided by local residents in rural or remote regions, which are often poor and economically marginalized. A community implies individuals, who share collective responsibility and are able to make decisions together.
The residents are involved in the tourism product development and profit as entrepreneurs, service providers and employees. Local residents can cooperate with national and international tour operators and other tourism organizations from the private and the public sector in order to develop and promote their offers. Communities, who want to develop tourism sustainably, are often supported by projects, aiming at improving not only the tourism infrastructure, but also the quality of life of locals.
Community based tourism enables the tourist to discover nature and wildlife, as well as local traditions and people’s everyday life. Local residents should be also aware of the value of their natural and cultural heritage in order to protect it and to use it for tourism development
