Local Community Participation In Eco Tourism

Many factors play a big role in determining community participation in ecotourism planning initiatives. In addition community participation differ in their needs,

2.8.1 Social benefits

The theoretical roots of social benefits of community participation in eco-tourism are date back to the social exchange theory. The social exchange theory assumes that social relations involve exchange of resources among groups seeking mutual benefits from exchange relationships. The central idea of social exchange theory is that the exchange of social and material resources is a fundamental determinant of human interaction. Research on residents’ reactions to tourism development based on the theoretical constructs of the Social Exchange Theory has examined the relationship between and among the perception of the benefits, costs, impacts, and support for tourism (Gursoy et. al.2002, Lindberg & Johnson 1997, Jurowski et al. 1997).

The present study is focusing on two social benefits of community participation named by awareness of changing way of life and satisfaction level of promoting local traditional and culture.

As a study by Hunter and Green, (1995) defined Interaction between cultures and hosting visitors may lead to a decline in the local culture, therefore, it may lead to the neglect of the local population of their heritage and tradition of tourists, especially young people. This concept is recognized as a ‘demonstration’ where ‘the local population to modify their behavior and aspirations and by following the example of tourists. Therefore Shaw and Williams (1994), emphasized the social benefits that influence a positive impact on society, particularly those who seek to improve education and standard of living or to seek equality between the genders, demonstration effect and usually occurs among young people the host population. The consequence of this effect is the conflicts within the community among young people “modern” and the elder “traditional. According to Ceballos-Lascurain (1996), tourism may offer employment to host residents, presenting women and youths the opportunity to earn a wage, which before was not possible, this may also cause conflict within homes, where the incomes of women or the youths may empower them, allowing them to challenge their traditional roles at home and in society. The challenging of traditional roles will also lead to changes in the culture. Concealed pre-existing divisions between communities members may be enhanced as certain individuals may benefit from tourism while others could be excluded from participating. As tourism develops there may be many economic potentials, where the first to capitalize may be quick to dominate the market. This may erupt in issues of fairness, jealousy and resentment within the community. However, in recent years social and cultural aspects have become increasingly important in the sustainable tourism debate, especially in the context of developing countries where poverty is a widespread problem (Strasdas, 2005). Garrod (2003) identified Social aspect to the ability of the local community to determine the social impacts of ecotourism development. Social empowerment will result in ecotourism making a contribution to the social cohesion and integrity of the local community, rather than detracting from it. it is most likely to be found in those communities where part of the net returns from ecotourism are recycled back into the local community in the form of investment in local infrastructure of the founding of social projects. According to Pongponrat & Pongquan (2007) that social relations and interactions within the community became stronger among various stakeholders involved in this fair. In addition, visitors learned local traditions and culture which will help the community to solicit their support on local cultural promotion and preservation in future. Even though the idea of ecotourism already contains social and cultural compatibility as well as the generation of benefits to local people as important elements, the focus is more on nature conservation.

Awareness of changing way of life

Tanya , Piyaphan and Suwipa ( 2009) conducted a study to investigate the need and readiness of community in managing community-based ecotourism; and to gather and assemble local knowledge to develop guideline for community-based ecotourism management The Hmong and Karen stakeholders from 14 villages of Mae Wang and Mae Chaem district, Chiang Mai Province, within responsible area of the Mae Hae Royal Project Development Station, were involved in this study Northern Thailand, the authors investigate relationship between awareness of changing way of life& level of community participation the authors fund the result of Attraction of culture and way of life satisfied, In addition, visitors learned local traditions and culture which will help the community to solicit their support on local cultural promotion and preservation in future.

A study conducted by Assefa and Olav (2005) to examine the local people’s participation in the management and development of ecotourism projects in the Adwa district, Northern Ethiopia, the authors investigate the relationship between awareness of impacts of tourism on local life & level of community participation, the authors found a negative relationship, arguing that people are more aware of the negative effects on their life and their culture of tourism more than what is on the natural environment. Ceballos-Lascurain (1996), believed that the challenging of traditional roles will also lead to changes in the culture. Therefore, Hunter and Green, (1995) refers Interaction between cultures and hosting visitors may lead to a decline in the local culture, therefore, it may lead to the neglect of the local population of their heritage and tradition of tourists, especially young people.

Satisfaction level of promoting local traditional and culture

Tanya Promburom, et.al 2009 conducted a study to investigate the need and readiness of community in managing community-based ecotourism; and to gather and assemble local knowledge to develop guideline for community-based ecotourism management The Hmong and Karen stakeholders from 14 villages of Mae Wang and Mae Chaem district, Chiang Mai Province, within responsible area of the Mae Hae Royal Project Development Station, were involved in this study Northern Thailand the authors investigate the relationship between promote their culture and level of community participation the authors fund the result high percentage of the village leaders and villagers had positive attitude toward tourism because it could promote their culture. (2009) recent study found that the level of participation is high, namely the relationship is significantly related between level of community participation and preservation of culture, and this study conducted by Hasnol, to interpret and develop the indicators for success of local community participation and ecotourism sites in Sabah, the author investigated the relationship between level of community participation and preservation of culture. Pongponrat and Pongquan, (2007), conducted a study to explores various aspects of community participation in local tourism development planning on Samui Island in the south of Thailand and identifies factors associated with intensity of participation of local people in the planning process organized by the Nathon community on Samui Island, the authors investigate the relationship between satisfaction level of promoting local traditional and culture – among all factors- & level of community participation in all phases, the authors found relationship between this factor & implementation phase to be associates with the intensity of people’s participation in this stage. According to Piyaphan and Suwipa (2009), visitors learned local traditions and culture which will help the community to solicit their support on local cultural promotion and preservation in future.

Economic benefits

The social exchange theory is widely used for theorizing the economic benefits of community participation in eco-tourism. The social exchange theory argues that tourism development comes with economic benefits (Claiborne, 2010).

The present study is focusing on three benefits of community participation on eco-tourism named by household income, creating employment opportunities, and creating investment input.

Wang and Tong (2009) emphasizes that the economic Aspects of vulnerability in improving the standard of living of the local population, and income from eco-tourism should not be used only to protect the ecological environment but also benefit the local population. Aref and Ma’arof (2008) defined that the community participation in tourism development is necessary if they are to provide equitable distribution of benefits of local economic. Therefore the concept of community participation is regarded as a tool to assist in ecotourism and local economic development in rural communities (Sebola and Fourie, 2006). Brandon (1993) highlights the fact that many ecotourism projects have adopted the generation of economic benefits for the local community as one of their major aims. However, it is significant that only a handful of such projects have opened up the decision making process by which the scale and distribution of these economic benefits are determined to local people.

According to Brandon (1993), ecotourism projects that generate a lot of economic benefits to the community, however, these projects have opened the process of decision-making and distribution of these economic benefits to the local population. Brandon (1993) refers the linkage between economic benefits and conservation can be made more direct. One way of doing this is to ensure that any access fees that are changed are channelled directly into efforts concerned with the management of ecotourism activity and the conservation of its resource base. A good example where this already takes place is in the management of whale shark tourism in the Ningaloo Marine Park in Western Australia (Davis and Tisedell, 1998). Whale shark tourism began in the 1980s and, while the initial volume of visits was relatively small, the industry grew so rapidly that by the mid-1990s deep concerns were being expressed about the adverse impacts of tourism on the whale shark population. In a study by Garrod (2002) involving the use of the Delphi technique to gather expert opinion on how ecotourism might best be defined, the principle that locals should benefit in economic terms from ecotourism was included in over 81 per cent of the final selection of definitions. In contrast, the principle that local people should participate in the decision-making processes through which the scale and distribution of those economic benefits are determined was included in only 27 per cent of the final selection of definitions. Butler (1999) refers that, tourism is an industry generating rapid growth of capital flows to the destination location. Diversified economies are more vulnerable to the integration of tourism in their economy, compared to the least developed (single or double-export) economies, where the effects can be severe and unexpected. Key issues relevant to the local economy and employment, and the quantity of local goods and services used to run the tourism. Lea, (1988) emphasizes that the employment provided to local communities are less skilled and lower wage earning jobs, such as cleaners, bartenders, waiters, and transport operators, cooks and this impacts negatively on society and the local population feel they are not benefiting from tourism. Lockhart and Drakakis-Smith (1997) are often imported from outside the community, such as managers and workers in two languages. Tour operators usually import skilled labour because they do not have to invest in the training of the local population. Moreover, employment in the tourism industry, seasonal, and therefore may not be secure income.

As a study by Fennell (1999) emphasized import that substitute labour and/or goods cause leakage in economic benefits to the host economy. Mowforth and Munt (1998) considered that the real estate market in the destination location is a driving force for the growth of the tourism industry and as a tool to enable investors to Earth has lifted the market value of land by purchase from the local population and development. The local population profit from the sale of land in the beginning, but in the long term, they recognize the sovereignty of the new owners of the land and therefore the new owners of the land access to energy in the development process. Archer and Cooper (1998) believe investment in tourism infrastructure that could benefit the community through improvements in telecommunications networks, roads and ports. This may allow for other economic opportunities for the local area.

Household income

Hoque and Itohara. (2008), conducted a study to know the present status of rural women’s participation and decision making role in economic activities in Bangladesh, the author found relationship between household income – among others- and level of participation in decision making phase, contribution of women’s personal income on their role in family decision making they are being capable to contribute in household income which is improving their status in the family even some cases they are playing active role in taking decision regarding some family issues. Thus it is proved that due to participation in EAs women in the rural areas are contributing in household income that has also improved their role in family decision making than before. Ye Zhang (2010) conducted a study to investigate the preferences of residents in the Midwestern United States on how they would like to be involved in tourism planning and development, and the personal factors that influenced their preferences, the author fund people who preferred spontaneous participation had higher household income than those who preferred induced participation. Robert S. Pomeroya, Enrique G. Oracionb, Richard B. Pollnacc, Demberge A. Caballes 2005 conducted a study to examines factors influencing the sustainability of ICM projects in the Philippines, specifically, the study focused on two locations in the country, Bais Bay area of Negros Oriental Province and Mabini-Tingloy (known as Anilao), the author investigate relationship between household income and level of community participation this relationship positive relate. Tanya Promburom, Piyaphan Klunklin and Suwipa Champawalaya 2009 conducted a study to investigate the need and readiness of community in managing community-based ecotourism; and to gather and assemble local knowledge to develop guideline for community-based ecotourism management The Hmong and Karen stakeholders from 14 villages of Mae Wang and Mae Chaem district, Chiang Mai Province, within responsible area of the Mae Hae Royal Project Development Station, were involved in this study Northern Thailand the authors investigate the relationship between promote their culture &level of community participation the authors fund the result high percentage of the village leaders and villagers had positive attitude toward tourism because it could generate additional income, promote their culture, and improve infrastructure. Pongponrat. K. Pongquan.S, (2007), conducted a study to explores various aspects of community participation in local tourism development planning on Samui Island in the south of Thailand and identifies factors associated with intensity of participation of local people in the planning process organized by the Nathon community on Samui Island, the authors found relationship between household income – among others- and level of local community participation in all phases and specifically in decision making and implementation phases, this mean that local people who had relatively better- off income tended to participant intensively, this implies that these people had more time to be involved in planning activities than those in the low income category, who are busy earning their living and contributed less time in planning and implementation activities. Brandon (1993) believed that the ecotourism projects have adopted the generation of economic benefits for the local community as one of their major aims. However, it is significant that only a handful of such projects have opened up the decision making process by which the scale and distribution of these economic benefits are determined to local people.

Creating employment opportunities

Robert S. Pomeroya, Enrique G. Oracionb, Richard B. Pollnacc, Demberge A. Caballes 2005 conducted a study to examine factors influencing the sustainability of ICM projects in the Philippines specifically, the study focused on two locations in the country, Bais Bay area of Negros Oriental Province and Mabini-Tingloy (known as Anilao), the authors investigate relationship between the employment opportunities and level of community participation the authors fund this relationship positive relate. Liu Tao, Xu Fuying, 2005 conducted a study to summarize the community participation model of rural tourism, and then analyzes the benefit appeals and the contradictories of main stakeholders of community participation in rural tourism from the following five aspects: government, community collective agency, community resident, rural tourism enterprises and rural tourists in China, the authors argued local government hopes creating more employment opportunities, driving the development of related industries, promoting the current new rural construction, and enhancing the popularity of the destination and so on through the development of rural tourism. Assefa T. & Olav Oyhus A. 2005, conducted a study to examine the local people’s participation in the management and development of ecotourism projects in the Adwa district, Northern Ethiopia, the authors investigate the relationship between employment opportunities level of community participation the authors fund the relationship positive relate, argued that the majority of the population can be sober beneficiaries of job opportunities and get a direct benefit and that members of society must be sober-the direct beneficiaries. Denman, (2001) conducted a study to identify some general principles, and highlight some practical considerations for community-based ecotourism, the author investigated the relationship between creating employment opportunities and level of community participation, the author found that variable increase from degree of community participation. Lea, (1988) emphasizes that the employment provided to local communities are less skilled and lower wage earning jobs, such as cleaners, bartenders, waiters, and transport operators, cooks and this impacts negatively on society and the local population feel they are not benefiting from tourism.

Environment benefits

Similarly to social and economic benefits, the social exchange theory can be used to theorize the environmental benefits of community participation in tourism such as increasing conservation of local environment and increasing management skills in resources utilization.

The theory provides the basis for recognizing people`s need to engage in an interaction process where they seek something of value, be it material, social, or psychological. The present study is focusing on two benefits of community participation on eco-tourism named by increasing conservation of local environment and increasing management skills in resources utilization.

The study by Hunter and Green, (1995) to determine the impacts of tourism on the environment, they reported that these impacts are negative and may not always be clear, since it takes a lot of time before it appears. However the consumption of resources, built environment, land use, behavior of tourists and amount of tourism will affect the host destination’s environment (Swarbrooke, 1999).

According to Hunter and Green (1996), environmental degradation may occur in the form of:

Overexploitation of natural resources

Biodiversity loss

Disruption of species breeding habits

Soil erosion & land reclamation

Soil contamination from waste disposal

Coastal and ground water pollution from waste, sewage and oil disposal.

Consumption of tourists will increase demand on local natural resources, which in many cases has led to environmental degradation. As the demand for wood for cooking, heating increased in parallel with the increasing number of hikers in mountainous areas. Thus, this demand has led to further deforestation and soil erosion to be so negative impact on the environment and society (Ceballos-Lascurain, 1996). Miller (1999) noted that land reclamation is often a result of the pressures on coastal areas affects the local environment and population, leading to negatively impact the environment and local residents, particularly mangrove forests are typical targets due to their shallow waters. In addition to they are also the nursery ground for a wide range of marine life and prevent coastal erosion. In addition to local people reported a very high degree of benefit regarding increased management skill in resource utilisation relating to environmental aspects; all other aspects relating to social, and economic benefits were rated at a high level. Likewise, local people were satisfied with the community participation in local tourism development in various social, economic, and environmental aspects (Pongponrat & Pongquan, 2007). People reported a very high degree of benefit regarding increased management skill in resource utilisation relating to environmental aspects; all other aspects relating to social, economic and environment benefits were rated at a high level.

Knowledge and understanding of the principles and objectives of a participation approach are key factors associated with the intensity of people’s participation leading local people to participate in group meetings, identifying problems and needs and plan for their group’s activities (Pantong 1996). In other studies, age, length of membership, favourable attitude towards the group, income, and perceived benefits obtained from the group were found substantially associated with the intensity of their participation (Sirisongkram et al. 1999 and Pattarnarakha 2003). In addition, the willingness to participate in a development activity is another factor to be considered as this will be greater when the people could see immediate benefits to be obtained from a project in which they are going to participate (Gurung 1981:34). Likewise, local people were satisfied with the community participation in local tourism development in various social, economic, and environmental aspects.

Setty (1994) and Garrod (2003) identified certain factors inhibiting people’s participation.

Those factors comprise self-interest, encouragement provided by local leaders, knowledge and skills, availability of time, resource and materials, interest in welfare of community, costs-benefits of participation, quick results, gender, age, pattern of local internal communication and influence of culture and religion.

Garrod (2003) found Social aspect refers to the ability of the local community to determine the social impacts of ecotourism development. Social empowerment will result in ecotourism making a contribution to the social cohesion and integrity of the local community, rather than detracting from it. it is most likely to be found in those communities where part of the net returns from ecotourism are recycled back into the local community in the form of investment in local infrastructure of the founding of social projects. Garrod (2003) Economic aspect refers to the local community’s ability to make and take opportunities for economic development through the development of ecotourism. It may also refer to the local community’s access to the productive resources that are being targeted by ecotourism. A community that is economically empowered is one where incomes are being enhanced and lasting employment is generated, where the economic benefits of ecotourism development are shared equitably among the community as a whole, and where the local community retains access rights to community’s resources base.

Conservation of the environment

Hassnol (2009) conducted a study to interpret and develop the indicators for success of local community participation and ecotourism sites in Sabah, the author investigated the relationship between level of community participation & conservation of the environment the author found that the level of participation is high, namely the relationship is significantly related. Denman (2001) conducted a study to identify some general principles, and highlight some practical considerations for community-based ecotourism the author investigate the relationship between level of community participation and conservation , the author found that conservation enabling the community to influence activity and earn income from tourism namely that relationship significantly relate. Himoonde (2007) conducted a study to examine what local benefits accrue to the community and the level at which they participate in ecotourism, the author investigate the relationship between conservation of environment and level of community participation, and found the relationship high and significant.

Degree of benefits gained in the increase of management skills in resources utilization

Pongponrat. K. Pongquan.S, (2007), conducted a study to explores various aspects of community participation in local tourism development planning on Samui Island in the south of Thailand and identifies factors associated with intensity of participation of local people in the planning process organized by the Nathon community on Samui Island, the authors investigate the relationship between degree of benefits gained in the increase of management skills in resources utilization – among all factors- and level of community participation in all phases the authors found relationship between this factor & decision making and implementation to be associates with intensity of community participation in this phases and decision making phase in particular Researcher in this factor need to know the response of society to participate in the planning of eco-tourism in a country such as Yemen is one of the third world countries. Abdullah (2008) conducted a study to investigates the problems that affected natural resources and local community involvement in management to mitigate such problem in Bangladesh, the author investigate the relationship between management skills resources utilization and level of community participation the findings show relationship significant relate. Sebola (2005) conducted a study to investigate the ecotourism potential of the Maleboho Nature Reserve, and the manner in which such potential may be utilised to benefit the local communities around the nature reserve, the author investigate relationship between management skills and level of community participation, the findings show that relationship significant relate.

2.9 Hypotheses development
2.9.1 Social benefits

There are several studies provide empirical evidence of the positive relationship between social benefits and level of community participation in ecotourism (see for example, Shaw and Williams (1994), Strasdas (2005) and Pongponrat & Pongquan, (2007)

In recent years social and cultural aspects have become increasingly important in the sustainable tourism debate, especially in the context of developing countries where poverty is a widespread problem. Hence, that social relations and interactions within the community became stronger among various stakeholders involved in this fair. In addition, visitors learned local traditions and culture which will help the community to solicit their support on local cultural promotion and preservation in future.

2.9.1.1 Awareness of changing way of life

Theoretically, Michael (2009) argued that tourism development contributes positively towards poverty alleviation and improvement of services, employment and training projects and increase awareness of the changing way of life, which increases in participation by the community. Piyaphan and Suwipa (2009) Believed to change the way of life to attract culture in addition to teaching visitors local traditions and culture which helps the community to get support for the promotion of local culture and maintain in the future and that encourages community participation in tourism. Schulenkorf (2008) argued that there are positive effects of change the way of life and this leads to improvement of general living conditions in communities and increase the quality of life of the people. However, the way of life, are ideally suited to become tourism products because they encompass the features that make a community unique and are experiential in nature (McKercher and Ho 2006).

Piyaphan and Suwipa (2009), McKercher and Ho (2006), Schulenkorf (2008). all provide empirical support of the positive relationship between employment opportunities and level of community participation in ecotourism.

Thus, it is interesting to reexamine the relationship between Awareness of changing way of life and level of community participation in ecotourism in Yemen context that differ significantly in its economic, social, and environmental conditions from the countries in which this relationship was tested. This may help improve our understanding of the impact of this factor on level of community participation in ecotourism.

Therefore, based on the above argument, the following hypothesis is proposed:

H1: there is a positive relationship between Awareness of changing way of life and level of community participation in ecotourism in Yemen.

2.9.1.2 Promoting local traditional and culture

Theoretically, Promburom, et.al 2009 argued that promote culture and traditional the village leaders and villagers had positive attitude toward tourism because it could promote their culture. Piyaphan and Suwipa ( 2009), believed visitors learned local traditions and culture which will help the community to solicit their support on local cultural promotion and preservation in future.

Promburom, et al, (2009), Hassnol (2009), Pongponrat. K. Pongquan.S, (2007), all provide empirical support of the positive relationship between promoting local traditional and culture and level of community participation in ecotourism.

Thus, it is interesting to reexamine the relationship between Promoting local traditional and culture and level of community participation in ecotourism in Yemen context that differ significantly in its economic, social, and environmental conditions from the countries in which this relationship was tested. This may help improve our understanding of the impact of this factor on level of community participation in ecotourism.

Therefore, based on the above argument, the following hypothesis is proposed:

H2: there is a positive relationship between Promoting local traditional and culture and level of community participation in ecotourism in Yemen.

2.9.2 Economic benefits

Brandon (1993), Butler (1999), Sebola and Fourie, (2006), Wang and Tong (2009), all provide empirical support of the positive relationship between economic benefits and level of community participation in ecotourism. It is argued that economic benefits;

To get different benefits to improving the standard of living of the local population. Moreover, that many ecotourism projects have adopted the generation of economic benefits for the local community as one of their major aims. In addition ecotourism projects that generate a lot of economic benefits to the community, however, these projects have opened the process of decision-making and distribution of these economic benefits to the local population. As well as tou