Inclusive and regenerative urban tourism: Capacity development perspectives

A co-authored research paper contributed by CTR research staff, Prof. Joseph M. Cheer has been published in the International Journal of Tourism Cities.

 

Title

Inclusive and regenerative urban tourism: Capacity development perspectives

 

Authors

Loretta Bellato, Centre for Urban Transitions, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia; Monash University, Melbourne, Australia

Joseph M. Cheer, Center for Tourism Research, Wakayama University, Japan; Monash University, Australia

 

Source

International Journal of Tourism Cities, 2021

Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print.

https://doi.org/10.1108/IJTC-08-2020-0167

* Indexed in Scopus

Source details: https://www.scopus.com/sourceid/21100844181

 

Abstract

Purpose – Using case study analysis, this paper aims to examine the application of capacity development perspectives, critical towards urban tourism that is inclusive and regenerative.
Design/methodology/approach – The study design used a mixed qualitative methods approach underpinned by the inclusive tourism development framework following Scheyvens and Biddulph (2017). This comprised in-depth interviews, focus groups and observational research. A community-based approach was adopted in a diverse cultural and socio-economic field setting.
Findings – The findings demonstrate that people who are marginalised hold valuable tacit knowledge and unique skills that can complement expert tourism knowledge and contribute to the development of more sustainable places and inclusive communities. This finding challenges claims that capacity development must occur before their participation. Local government, alongside non-government organisations and community groups, were found to have a significant role to play in ensuring that residents and people who are marginalised are included in sustainable tourism development.
Originality/value – This study contributes to the burgeoning discourse regarding stakeholder capacity development and readiness for inclusion in urban tourism initiatives. Importantly, regenerative development approaches are applied within the gambit of capacity development making this a unique attempt to integrate stakeholders into the design and implementation of tourism planning processes that uphold inclusive and regenerative priorities.

 

Key words

Sustainable tourism, Urban tourism, Capacity development, Inclusive tourism development, Regenerative tourism