A guide to good practice for community tourism development

Sustainable tourism tuned to local community needs

The guide showcases and draws lessons from the breadth of community tourism activities seen and learnt about during the life of the cooperation project, which took place between 2011 and 2014. The local part of the project was funded by CAVLP and the South Lanarkshire LEADER Programme.

The aim of this guide is to share good practice on development of community tourism activities and to show that involving communities in development of tourism right from the outset can assist protection of natural and socio-cultural assets and improve the welfare of local people, while enhancing economic opportunities and market access.

The guide combines the key principles of sustainable tourism and community development, which focus on actual, local community needs; as well as addressing practical considerations when planning for and implementing community tourism activities.

The guide also highlights a number of innovative approaches to community engagement and heritage interpretation, and is intended for communities living in rural areas involved in or considering developing sustainable tourism products.