In recent years, the dynamic field of rural community-based tourism has garnered increasing attention, not only from practitioners and policymakers but also from the academic community worldwide. A comprehensive analysis of the scientific literature spanning from 2005 to 2023 reveals a growing body of knowledge about the social and economic impacts of these tourism initiatives on the well-being of rural inhabitants. As rural community-based tourism emerges as a critical avenue for sustainable development, this expansive overview unravels the intricate patterns of research productivity, intellectual influence, and collaborative networks that define the discipline.
The period between 2017 and 2023 marks a significant surge in scholarly outputs in this domain. This uptick signals an increasing recognition of rural community-based tourism as a pivotal mechanism for fostering socioeconomic resilience and environmental stewardship in rural areas. A closer examination reveals that the journal Sustainability, based in Switzerland, stands out as the most prolific outlet for research dissemination. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom’s Journal of Sustainable Tourism boasts the highest academic impact, reflected by the number of citations—a metric indicative of influence and scientific dialogue engagement.
Intellectual leadership within the field is exemplified by notable scholars who have shaped discourse and research trajectories. Andrea Giampiccoli emerges as the most productive author with an extensive publication record, while Seweryn Zielinski commands the highest citation count, highlighting the lasting influence of his contributions. A geographical lens on publication venues underscores a dominant European presence, with a concentration of significant academic journals hailing from the United Kingdom, thereby positioning Europe as a regional hub for rural community-based tourism scholarship.
The scientific co-authorship networks reveal fascinating insights about collaboration patterns over time. Historically, the earliest recorded network includes researchers Jan Fen Hauh and Lee Tsung Hung, representing foundational intellectual synergies. In contrast, the most contemporary network features authors Andrea Giampiccoli and Oliver Mtapuri, reflecting evolving research partnerships adapted to address emerging challenges and perspectives within the field. Such networks are crucial for understanding how knowledge production and dissemination mechanisms adapt and flourish.
Keyword co-occurrence analysis elucidates thematic clusters that structure the field’s discourse. ‘Community Tourism’ consistently tops the hierarchy, serving as an anchor concept that integrates various thematic strands. On the opposite end, ‘Pro-poor Tourism’ represents a closing node in the network, emphasizing a socio-economic focus on marginalised groups within rural contexts. This continuum illustrates the field’s balancing act between community empowerment and economic inclusion, underlining priorities for future research and practice.
Delving into the most frequently cited studies, the prevailing themes center around community participation theories vital to rural tourism frameworks. The ladder of citizen participation, redistribution of power, collaborative processes, and social capital formation emerge as core theoretical pillars. These frameworks offer nuanced lenses through which academics assess community engagement levels and their implications for tourism development. Such theoretical robustness enhances understanding of how local involvement can be structured to maximise benefits.
A recurrent insight from these seminal works is the critical role of fostering increased interaction among locals, which serves as a conduit for enhanced socio-economic benefits and effective natural resource conservation. Well-managed community enterprises are highlighted as dual agents capable of driving both ecological sustainability and equitable economic growth. This duality underscores the complexity practitioners face in aligning conservation goals with livelihood enhancement through tourism.
The evolutionary trajectory of nature-based tourism’s sustainability—encompassing economic, socio-cultural, and environmental dimensions—is understood as a phased process marked by consolidation, development, and participation stages. Resident perceptions, uncovered through longitudinal studies, fluctuate across these stages, signaling the importance of context-sensitive management. The implication is clear: tourism managers must calibrate development strategies adaptively to each stage to optimise impacts and ensure long-term sustainability.
From a research standpoint, the current concentration in high-impact databases points to a significant limitation: the potential oversight of less accessible or regionally focused studies. This concentration suggests a substantive opportunity—and indeed an imperative—to diversify data sources for a more holistic comprehension of rural community-based tourism impacts. Incorporating such underrepresented research could enrich global dialogues and foster more inclusive knowledge creation.
Methodologically, the literature encourages a mixed-methods paradigm, blending quantitative rigor with qualitative depth. While statistical analyses provide valuable macro-level insights, qualitative explorations capture the lived experiences, perceptions, and socio-cultural nuances of local communities. This methodological plurality offers a comprehensive platform to unravel the complex determinants underlying successes and limitations in community-based rural tourism.
On a policy level, the findings emphatically call for the institutionalisation of collaborative approaches involving not only local communities but also governmental bodies, NGOs, and private sector actors. Such multi-stakeholder partnerships represent the cornerstone for sustainable tourism models that are both socially equitable and economically viable. Inclusive governance structures can mediate conflicts, harness local knowledge, and align diverse interests towards shared objectives.
Policy frameworks should further prioritise the strengthening of collaborative networks, fostering inclusive models that dynamically integrate social, economic, and environmental changes. This strategic alignment ensures that tourism development is resilient to shifts and shocks, safeguarding community welfare while preserving ecological integrity. Furthermore, tourism programmes must be envisioned within long-term development plans that transcend mere income generation to also enhance living standards and cultural heritage conservation.
The need for continuous, ongoing assessment mechanisms forms an essential element of adaptive management in rural community-based tourism. Regular monitoring of social, cultural, and environmental impacts enables the timely detection of adverse effects and guides corrective measures to uphold community and environmental health. Adaptive strategies empower stakeholders to respond proactively to emerging challenges, thereby enhancing resilience in the face of uncertainties such as climate change, market fluctuations, or sociopolitical transformations.
An underlying theme spanning these insights is the indispensable value of community agency. Empowering residents to actively shape their tourism futures not only ensures legitimacy and relevance but also taps into local ingenuity and traditional knowledge. This participatory orientation is integral to building sustainable tourism systems that are simultaneously responsive, reflective, and regenerative.
The convergence of these academic and practical insights finds expression in a vibrant and rapidly evolving research landscape that continues to deepen understanding of rural community-based tourism’s multifaceted impacts. As the field advances, ongoing efforts to integrate diverse perspectives, promote methodological innovation, and inform policy will be critical to unleashing the transformative potential of tourism as a lever for rural development.
In sum, this extensive body of research lays a robust foundation upon which future investigations and interventions can build. By embracing complexity, fostering inclusive partnerships, and remaining attuned to evolving social and environmental contexts, scholars and practitioners alike stand poised to propel rural community-based tourism toward a sustainable, equitable, and thriving future.
Subject of Research: Analysis of scientific literature on the social and economic impacts of rural community-based tourism on inhabitants’ well-being between 2005 and 2023.
Article Title: Community-based rural tourism: a mapping technique analysis study from 2005 to 2023.
Article References:
Cordova-Buiza, F., Medina-Viruel, M.J. & Pérez-Gálvez, J.C. Community-based rural tourism: a mapping technique analysis study from 2005 to 2023.
Humanit Soc Sci Commun 12, 527 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-04746-7
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