Achieving Development Goals and Sustainability: Analysis of Community-based (Eco-) Tourism and Endogenous Development in Cambodia
Dr. NETH BaromeyRoyal University of Phnom Penh
International Symposium and Workshop 2011Tourism and Endogenous Development – In Search for Sustainable TourismCenter for Sustainable Development Studies, Toyo University, Japan
What is CBT/CBET?
“ Responsible tourism owned and managed by community in collaboration with other stakeholders in order to enhance the local well-being, natural and cultural resource conservation, host-and-guest interaction and education. ”
(CCBEN & SNV, 2009; MoT, 2011)
Disability to implement SD policy
Do not follow democratic structures yet
Dependence on primary resources for local
livelihoods & economic development
Not yet have opportunities to exploit own resources
• Empower local communities in resource governance & endogenous development
Social Aspect
• Non-conventional economic strategies
• Externalize conservation costs
• Developed and managed by local communities
Economic Aspect
• Local participation in conservation
•Conservation structures and strategies at local level
• Incentives for conservation
Environmental Aspects
Why CBT/CBET in Cambodia?
Significance for sustainable development
Justify conservation regime & support global environmental governance
Poverty reduction in rural areas and community development Improved livelihood strategies Community empowerment &
participation Active citizenship
Why Cambodia Needs CBT/CBET?
Sustainable Community
Development
Alternative Livelihood Strategies
Social Inclusion &
Good Governance
Conservation Structures &
Strategies
1. Involve and empower community members to ensure ownership and transparent management
2. Establish partnership with relevant stakeholders 3. Gain legal recognition from relevant authorities 4. Achieve social well-being and human dignity5. Establish a fair and transparent benefit sharing mechanisms 6. Enhance linkages to local and regional economy7. Respect and preserve local culture and tradition 8. Contribute to natural resource conservation9. Improve quality of visitor experiences by strengthening
meaningful host and guest interaction10. Develop self-sufficient and self-reliant society
(CCBEN and SNV, 2009)
CBT/CBET Principles in Cambodia
Economic Considerations
Socio-Cultural Considerations
Environmental Conservation
Considerations
Business & Consumer
Satisfaction Considerations
Human Development & Stakeholder Collaboration
Considerations
CBT/CBET Philosophy in Cambodia
Host-Guest Interaction
CBT/CBET Development Potential in Cambodia
2.873.07
3.30
7 sites
17 sites
9 sites
There are 46 CBT/CBET sites, 33 of which are officially registered (MoT, 2011).
Both small scale and large scale ecotourism operations exist in Cambodia, but so far most of the development projects concentrate on participatory community-based approaches.
Pro-poor and anti-poverty as well as pro-conservation mechanisms through CBT / CBET
Tourist motivations & expectations of visit (MoT, 2011)
Tourist Activities & Expenditure1) Swimming2) Mountain and village biking 3) Forest trekking & hiking 4) Ox/horse-cart riding5) Boat trips6) Camping in the forest7) Bird watching8) Wildlife viewing9) Village exploration / touring10) Learning indigenous culture11) Home-stay with the locals12) Learning local culture / livelihoods
(silk weaving, rice production processes, local gastronomy, etc.)13) Educational and research tours – learning about plant & animal species
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Local service providers
Environmental conservation
Community development fund
Others (i.e. supporting local
poor, etc.)
Sources: CCBEN & SNV (2010)
Type of CBT/CBET in Cambodia1) Spontaneously occurred through the initiatives of the
local communities based on their local resources and which focus on the economic development objectives
2) Happened as a result of intervention from external stakeholders aiming to support rural communities transforming themselves and building their capability to adapt to socio-politic and economic changes through endogenous development programs
3) Introduced as a tool to support and foster community protected areas (CPAs) and CBNRM frameworks
Map of PAs and Emergence of CPAs in Cambodia
PAs+CPAs (26% of the total land area): non-extractive policies, yet provides opportunities for non-consumptive economic activities, such as ecotourism.
Concerned stakeholders:• State actors – Ministry of Environment (MoE); Ministry of Tourism (MoT); Ministry of
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery (MAFF) through its Fishery and Forestry Administrations; APSARA Authority (AA)
• Non-state actors - environmental institutions / donor agencies (IUCN, WWF, GEF, CI, FFI, WCS, Wildlife Alliance, Global Heritage Fund, etc.); local environmental and developmental NGOs (i.e. Mlup Baitong, CRDT, Osmose, CEPA , LLEE, Kafdoc, Sam Veasna Center, etc.); Development Partners (i.e. ADB, IFC-WB, UNDP, SNV, USAID-Cambodia, etc.); Community Organizations (i.e. TataikromCommunity in Kong Kong Province); Semi Non-Profit Organizations (i.e. Khmer Village Home-stay; Agir pour le Cambodge, etc.)
* CBT and CBET are defined, introduced, and implemented in accordance with pioneers’ agendas/politics/policies in close collaboration with individual state bodies (CBET via MoE, CBT via MoT, ...).
Conception of CBT/CBET Development in Cambodia
Conception of CBT/CBET Development in Cambodia
• Capacity building (mainly environmental education programs)
• Multifaceted CBNRM & conservation mechanisms
• Community democratic decentralized governance (participation, advocacy, empowerment, etc.)
• Community social capital building (bonding, bridging & linking)
• Tourism products (attractions, amenities/services, activities)development
• CBT/CBET value chain and supply chain • Integrated livelihood strategies• Government-private sector-community partnership building• Establishment of MSME activities in the community• Building of community social enterprises• Marketing and promotion
Conception stage
Intervention stage
Post-intervention
stage
Govt. + I/LNGOs Community Community
Development Intervention Stages of CBT/CBET Related Actors in Cambodia
Conception & intervention stages are considerably a difficult threshold due to limited capacity and awareness of the local communities & their inspirations to see immediate impacts to solve their food insecurity.
Good Practices and Lessons Learnt -CBT/CBET Sites in Cambodia 1) From community mobilization to community participation in
CBT/CBET development & implementation – Chambok Site
Good Practices and Lessons Learnt -CBT/CBET Sites in Cambodia (cont.)2) Well-established community management and development structure –
Chambok Site
Good Practices and Lessons Learnt -CBT/CBET Sites in Cambodia (cont.)3) CBT/CBET revenues and development strategies
support “The Commune Development Plan”
4) Community involvement in natural and cultural restoration / conservation and community development programs
Community-led Mekong turtle conservation activity
Community re-plantation activity Khmer house prototype
Good Practices and Lessons Learnt -CBT/CBET Sites in Cambodia (cont.)5) CBT/CBET capacity building programs contribute to
general education and knowledge/skill development, yet more concentrated on conservation & development management
6) Existence of legal frameworks and protective documents
Tourist activity with local students Environmental educational message and community-led protection signpost
Good Practices and Lessons Learnt -CBT/CBET Sites in Cambodia (cont.)7) Creation of job opportunities leading to diversified local
economy / livelihoods and MSMEs
8) Promotion of women empowerment, trust & reciprocity amongst members, and solidarity, collectivism and connectiveness in the whole community
Good Practices and Lessons Learnt -CBT/CBET Sites in Cambodia (cont.)9) Generation of opportunities for social organizations and
economic activities at community level
10) Promotion of governance and conservation of local resources
11) Provision of protective security & integration in the entire development system
12) Community-private sector collaboration & sustainable community development initiatives (i.e. formation of youth volunteers for agricultural extension and tourism business set-up services at Chambok CBET Site)
Challenges to CBT/CBET as a Sustainability Tool in Cambodia
Pioneers
• Conservation Agencies• Development Agencies
Agenda
• Conserving Environment• Enhancing Economic Strategies
Limitations
• Result-based development approaches• Lack of adequate attention on people• People lack the capabilities to carry on the projects
22
Challenges to CBT/CBET as a Sustainability Tool in Cambodia (cont.)
Challenges to CBT/CBET as a Sustainability Tool in Cambodia (cont.)
Source: http://altmapcambodia.blogspot.com/search?q=concession+map
Fund-driven development design +
Agenda-based interpretation & implementation
Conception stage
Intervention stage
Post-intervention
stage
Govt. + I/LNGOs Community Community as Independent Managers
& Entrepreneurs???
Contemporary Challenges to CBT/CBET Development in Cambodia
Mechanisms for Sustainable & Responsible CBT/CBET and Endogenous Development in Cambodia
“... community resiliency resulted from the enhancement of capacity and ability to carry out endogenous development initiatives for sustainable community development.”
Capability-supported
Sustainability
Economic Development
HR Development
Community Empowerment
Community Health
Conservation
1. Community Capabilities
Capabilities in CBT/CBET Development ContextCBT / CBET
Development Outcomes Measurement Indicators
1. Economic Development
Job opportunities and job creationBusiness and investment mechanismEconomic development strategiesDevelopment model, supporting mechanism and partnership
2. Human Resource Development
Basic education, acquiring wisdomHuman capital developmentThe integration of traditional and modern knowledge and technology
3. Conservation Existence of community conservation policiesPractice of conservation strategiesOutcome of conservation strategiesRecord of good NRM governance
4. CommunityHealth
Human relationship including community’s mental and spiritual health, social cohesiveness, and self-identity
Human-nature relationship including physical health and human attitude towards nature and environment
5. Community Empowerment
Policy frameworkLocal governanceLevel of local control and ownershipOrganizational structuresLinks with other relevant institutions
Sources: Sen, 1999; Murphy & Murphy, 2004; Schaper, 2005; Hall, Kilpatrick & Mitchell, 2005;Thimothy, 2007; Fennel, 2003, 2008; Figgis & Bushell, 2007; Neth, 2008; Rith, 2010.
2. Sound ecotourism policy, including regulation and guidance at community level based upon context sensitivity and case-specific conditions
3. Incorporate business consideration into overall CBT/CBET development plans
4. Product development & diversification + service quality improvement, specification and standardization (incl. eco-labeling and certification)
5. Community inputs & initiatives from the onset of development + proactive & interactive stakeholder collaboration
Mechanisms for Sustainable & Responsible CBT/CBET and Endogenous Development in Cambodia (cont.)
6. Government investment in human resource development as well as soft and hard CBT/CBET infrastructure
7. Value chain and supply chain development & management system
8. CBT/CBET entrepreneurship, social enterprises, and market access (supply-demand interactive system)
9. CBT/CBET destination and risk / crisis management
10. Integration of primary production sector with overall CBT/CBET product development based on innovative approaches
Mechanisms for Sustainable & Responsible CBT/CBET and Endogenous Development in Cambodia (cont.)
• Neth, B., Rith, S. and Knerr, B. (2008). Global Environmental Governance and Politics of Ecotourism: A Case Study of Cambodia. In: Proceedings of the 12th EADI Conference on “Global Governance for Sustainable Development: Needs for Policy Coherence and New Partnership”, Geneva, Switzerland.
• Neth, B. (2008). Ecotourism as a Tool for Sustainable Rural Community Development and Natural Resource Management in the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve. Germany: Uni-Kassel (Kassel University) Press.
• Rith, S., William, P.W. and Neth, B.(2009). Community-Based Ecotourism and Rural Livelihood Diversification: Reframing the Approach to Community-Based Ecotourism Development. In: CBNRM Volume II – 2009, Chapter 24, pp.471-492. Proceedings of National Symposium on “Emerging Trends, Challenges and Innovations: CBNRM in Cambodia”, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
• CCBEN & SNV (2009). Cambodia Community Based Tourism Standard Report. Phnom Penh, CCBEN.
• CCBEN & SNV (2009). Cambodia Community Based Tourism Supply Chain Analysis Report. Phnom Penh, CCBEN.
• Rith, S. (2010). A Social Relational Approach to Community-Based Ecotourism Development: Policy Intervention strategies. Ph.D. Thesis. Canada: Simon Fraser University.
• USAID-Cambodia-MSME (2010). Community-Based Tourism Entrepreneurship and Market Access.• Mekong Discovery Trail (2010). Products / Services Mini-Manual: River Life Adventure in
Northeast Cambodia.• Ministry of Tourism (2011). Tourism Strategic Development Plan 2011-2020.• Neth, B., Rith, S. and Yokohari, M. (Forthcoming). Enhancing Sustainability through the Building
of Capabilities: Analysis of CBET Development Case. Paper presented at the Ecotourism Research Symposium of the 3rd World Ecotourism Conference, 03-05 October 2011, Cambodia.
• www.tourismcambodia.org/cbet_sites/index.php?view=destinations
References
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