Community perception on the development of rural community-based tourism amid social tensions: A Colombian case

This paper aims to analyze the community’s perception and capacity for collective action around the development of rural community-based tourism (RCBT) in the context of mass tourism, modern agriculture practices, and low levels of trust in local governments, in the Ricaurte Province in Boyacá, Colombia. An exploratory analysis was done by interviewing different stakeholders, which was followed by a quantitative survey administered to different types of local actors in the tourism value chain. This mixed-method approach enabled the collection of community perceptions on the subject, as well as an understanding of their level of social capital and its connection with participation in RCBT. One of the main results was that communities perceive RCBT as an alternative development activity. However, certain challenges, such as apathy among the community toward governments and strengthening social capital, are also recognized.