Keys for approaching community-based tourism

Abstract

espanolEste articulo introduce una reflexion teorica sobre el concepto de turismo de base local, destacando su acusado caracter normativo. No obstante, los multiples estudios de caso disponibles reflejan una gran heterogeneidad y diversidad interna en las experiencias analizadas. Por todo ello, se insiste en la necesidad de estudiar empiricamente los factores y elementos que condicionan el desarrollo y sostenibilidad de este modo de organizar la actividad turistica, procurando establecer estrategias comparativas entre casos. Finalmente, se proponen diferentes perspectivas de analisis y enfoques de investigacion aplicados al turismo de base local que nos permitan profundizar solidamente en su conocimiento. EnglishThis article offers a theoretical reflection on the concept of community-based tourism, highlighting its markedly normative character. However, the multiple case studies available reflect a great deal of heterogeneity and internal diversity with regard to the experiences analyzed. Hence, there is a need to study empirically the factors and elements that condition the development and sustainability of this way of organizing tourist activity, seeking to establish strategies for comparing different cases. Finally, the article proposes different analytical perspectives and research approaches applied to community-based tourism, which will allow us to gain a much stronger and more in-depth understanding of this phenomenon.