Bernardo Trejos
Texas A&M University
David Matarrita-Cascante
Texas A&M University
THEORETICAL APPROXIMATIONS TO COMMUNITY-BASED TOURISM: CASE STUDIES FROM COSTA RICA
Recent research on community-based tourism (CBT) in Costa Rica has focused on communi-ty field theory and the theory of the strength of weak ties. The objective of the following pa-per is to compare these frameworks in order to better understand the explanatory power and shortcomings of each. To reach this objective, the paper presents six case studies that show how the use of both perspectives can aid in understanding CBT development. The study shows how CBT businesses, although concerned with profit making, also engage in actions that bring economic, social and environmental benefits to the community, contributing to its overall benefit.
Keywords: Community-based tourism, community field theory, Costa Rica, rural tourism, strength of weak ties.
Volume 8 Issue 6 2010: Applied Research Note 1
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