Exploring Community-Based Tourism: A Sustainable Travel Trend Reshaping India’s Local Economy and Culture

Published on November 13, 2025

Travelling is being revolutionized by community-based tourism (CBT), which enables tourists to visit places with a purpose. In India, where travel has become a vital aspect of contemporary life, travelers are seeking out experiences that provide a more in-depth interaction with the local environments and cultures. As a result of this change, CBT—a type of tourism that supports environmental sustainability and cultural preservation while also directly benefiting the local community—has grown in popularity. By incorporating local communities into tourism operations, CBT enables them to directly profit from tourists, benefiting everyone.

What is Community-Based Tourism (CBT)?
CBT is a sustainable tourism model that encourages travelers to engage with local cultures, support small businesses, and contribute to the preservation of traditions. Unlike traditional tourism, which often centres around large-scale commercial attractions, CBT focuses on meaningful and immersive experiences. This could include staying in homestays, visiting local farms, or exploring ecotourism projects. By participating in these activities, travelers contribute directly to the local economy while learning about the community’s lifestyle, traditions, and customs.

India, known for its rich cultural heritage, is home to many CBT models, each designed to offer tourists a unique and authentic experience. These initiatives not only provide visitors with deep connections to the place they visit but also empower local communities by giving them control over how tourism is conducted.

The Growth of Community-Based Tourism in India
With more Indians seeking personalized and immersive travel experiences, CBT has grown in popularity across the country. A recent survey found that over 80% of travelers aged 18 and above are keen on cultural experiences, local food, and homestays, indicating a high demand for CBT. The model is particularly appealing in regions where traditional tourism has had a less sustainable impact.

CBT’s ability to create positive outcomes for both the environment and local communities has made it an attractive option for socially conscious travelers. It provides opportunities for cultural exchange, strengthens the local economy, and helps preserve the environment. By participating in CBT, travelers are not just tourists; they become contributors to a larger movement towards sustainable tourism.

Types of Community-Based Tourism Experiences
CBT offers a diverse array of experiences, from farm tours to adventure tourism. For those looking to connect with nature, wildlife observation and trekking tours, led by local guides, provide a unique perspective of India’s rich biodiversity. These activities are often paired with stays in local homestays or eco-lodges, where travelers can experience daily life in the community.

Some of the most popular CBT experiences include:

• Farm Tourism: Tourists can stay in rural villages and participate in farming activities, learning about traditional agricultural practices.
• Cultural Immersion: Visitors can explore historical sites and learn about the local culture through guided tours and workshops.
• Nature-Based Tourism: Travelers can enjoy wildlife safaris, nature walks, and treks in forest reserves or national parks.
• Adventure Tourism: Activities like hiking, cycling, and camping allow tourists to experience the thrill of outdoor adventure while staying with local communities.

These immersive experiences allow travelers to explore the authentic side of India, far from the crowded tourist spots, while supporting the livelihoods of those they visit.

Models of Community-Based Tourism in India
Several different CBT models have emerged across India, each with its own structure and benefits for the local community. These models have been developed in collaboration with private enterprises, NGOs, and local governments, all working towards creating a sustainable and responsible tourism ecosystem.

• Private-Enterprise NGO-Government Partnerships: In Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region, a private startup has partnered with local NGOs to train youth as tourism guides. This initiative, backed by the local government, has helped create a new generation of skilled guides while improving community income.
• NGO-Led Community Initiatives: In Ladakh, homestay programmes supported by the Snow Leopard Conservancy India Trust have helped transform the economy of Rumbak village. The initiative has created numerous homestays, improved living conditions, and reduced wildlife conflicts in the region.
• Community-Owned Enterprises: In Uttarakhand, Himalayan Ark, a women-led social enterprise, offers homestays while promoting forest preservation. The programme empowers women in the local community by involving them in the tourism process and ensuring they benefit directly from tourism revenues.
• Government-Supported Models: In Naggar village, Himachal Pradesh, government assistance has helped establish homestays and training programmes for women entrepreneurs, boosting local employment and promoting sustainable tourism practices.

These models are not only reshaping the tourism landscape but also contributing to the empowerment of local communities, particularly women and marginalized groups.

Challenges Facing Community-Based Tourism
While the growth of CBT has brought numerous benefits, there are challenges that need to be addressed to ensure its long-term sustainability. One of the main challenges is the resource limitations of local communities, which may struggle to manage and sustain tourism initiatives. This often leads to inconsistent incomes and dependence on seasonal tourism.

Additionally, as CBT becomes more popular, there is a risk that local cultures could become commodified to cater to the growing demand for authentic experiences. If not managed carefully, tourism can also place undue pressure on local ecosystems, leading to environmental degradation.

To mitigate these challenges, stakeholders must adopt responsible tourism practices that prioritize the well-being of local communities and the environment. Ensuring that tourism is not seen as a sole source of income but rather as a supplementary one can help communities maintain their cultural identity and avoid over-reliance on tourism.

Strengthening Community-Based Tourism
There are several ways to further develop and strengthen CBT in India. One of the most effective strategies is the creation of CBT clusters along popular tourist routes. These clusters would allow multiple communities to benefit from tourism while managing visitor numbers and reducing overcrowding at popular destinations. In states like Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh, CBT clusters have already been established, with villages offering homestays and other tourism services along trekking and pilgrimage routes.

In addition, government policies and initiatives like the National Strategy for the Promotion of Rural Homestays should be leveraged to create self-employment opportunities in rural areas. Training programmes, such as the 2024 Uttarakhand initiative, can help homestay owners improve their services and expand their businesses.

Corporates can also play a crucial role in promoting CBT by organizing tours for employees or supporting local tourism ventures through CSR initiatives. Similarly, social media influencers who promote sustainable tourism can help raise awareness about the benefits of CBT and encourage responsible travel practices.

Conclusion
In India, community-based tourism presents a viable model for environmentally friendly travel that enables visitors to fully engage with local customs while making a direct contribution to the betterment of their communities. CBT has the potential to transform India’s tourism sector, offering financial advantages while conserving cultural heritage and safeguarding the environment, as the demand for genuine travel experiences keeps rising. CBT can provide long-term advantages for tourists and the communities they visit by tackling the issues and encouraging ethical tourism practices.