Local Perspectives: Understanding and Overcoming Barriers in Community Participation

This paper provides a comprehensive examination of the global tourism industry, exploring its economic, social, and environmental dimensions. It addresses challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, environmental degradation, and cultural commodification, emphasizing the industry's shift toward sustainable practices and the pivotal role of community participation. The interconnection between community involvement and sustainable tourism is scrutinized, highlighting their mutual benefits and existing barriers. The discourse extends to tourism development, encompassing diverse definitions from prominent authors. The text underscores the crucial role of community participation in successful tourism projects and its linkage to sustainable outcomes. Resident attitudes are explored as integral to the sustainability paradigm. The paper concludes by delving into barriers hindering community participation, drawing insights from case studies and proposing strategies for governments and sustainable tourism operators. Overall, the paper contributes valuable insights into fostering sustainable and inclusive tourism development in a global context.