Community-based ecotourism for sustainability: An evaluative analysis of Binh Son district, Quang Ngai province in Vietnam

Abstract

Community-based ecotourism (CBE) has been adopted for the preservation and restoration of the ecosystem in the four local communities in Binh Son district of Quang Ngai province in Vietnam. This study investigates the causal links that exist between socioeconomic development, the protection of biodiversity, environment and natural resources, and the institutional responses necessary for successful CBE development. In order to understand the complexities of the CBE model and how the stakeholders engaged in the CBE at local communities, a mix of the Strength-Weakness-Opportunity-Threat (SWOT) analysis and Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework was employed for qualitative and quantitative data analysis using key informant interviews and household surveys. The study findings include important implications for both policy and management for promoting the sustainable growth of ecotourism in the region. Regarding theoretical contribution, various challenges to sustainably developing CBE have been identified while a DPSIR conceptual framework is proposed to assist future research in CBE in this area.

Keywords

• DPSIR
• SWOT
• Community-based ecotourism
• Binh son district
• Sustainable