#Communitytourism

A Guardian travel feature highlights ten of the world’s best community tourism trips, spanning deserts, forests, coastlines, and villages, where local residents lead the experience rather than external guides. The piece isn’t just a list of pretty itineraries; it spotlights a growing research thread that asks who benefits when travelers seek authentic, locally run experiences. Across studies and field programs, researchers are finding that when communities own and manage tourist experiences, it can reshape livelihoods, preserve cultural heritage, and foster more sustainable use of natural resources. The message is clear: tourism is most meaningful when it foregrounds local agency, shared decision-making, and long-term stewardship rather than short-term spectacle.

A Guardian readers’ round-up of community travel experiences reveals a consistent thread: when travelers seek authentic encounters, they often land in initiatives that benefit local hosts and their wider communities. From women-led homestays in Nepal to conservation-focused dives in Mexico, wildlife-watching in East Sussex, and Crofting culture in the Scottish isles, these experiences attach value to local economies, cultural heritage, and environmental stewardship. The underlying message is that responsible, community-based travel can deliver tangible income, skills development, and mutual understanding — a formula many researchers say deserves attention in Thailand as domestic and regional tourism rebounds.

A new approach in Copenhagen reframes tourism as a collaborative effort rather than a passive activity. While overtourism protests ripple through parts of Europe, Copenhagen invites visitors to contribute to city wellbeing and get rewarded for sustainable actions.

Tourism drives significant revenue across Europe, yet many cities grapple with overcrowding, housing pressures, and waste. Thailand faces similar dynamics as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket welcome millions of visitors annually. The challenge is clear: grow the economy without eroding resources or local quality of life.

As European cities grapple with the mounting challenges of overtourism, Copenhagen is setting a bold new example—one that may resonate far beyond Denmark. While this summer has seen escalating protests against tourist-driven overcrowding in Barcelona, Genoa, Lisbon, the Canary Islands, and even outrage in Venice at celebrity spectacles, Copenhagen’s “CopenPay” pilot is offering an alternative. Instead of the familiar dichotomy between economic gain and local misery, the Danish capital is inviting visitors to help the city thrive—and rewarding them for their efforts. It’s a model that experts suggest could inspire new approaches for Thai destinations struggling with similar issues ().

Hidden in northern Greece, the Prespa Lakes region tells a powerful story about sustainable, community-driven travel. It shows how remote places can prosper without losing their natural soul. The basin where Greece, Albania, and North Macedonia meet has become a standout example of inclusive tourism that protects biodiversity and supports local livelihoods.

For Thai readers, Prespa offers a refreshing alternative to overtouristed destinations. The area features two ancient lakes—Great Prespa and Lesser Prespa—that have witnessed the mountains and waters for millions of years. The landscape resonates with familiar Thai scenery: oak forests descending to crystal waters, and villages tucked along ridgelines. Yet Prespa’s biodiversity is extraordinary, with 172 butterfly species documented in a compact region, far surpassing counts in many parts of Europe. Pelicans glide across the lakes, while brown bears roam forested slopes, painting a picture of a vibrant ecosystem comparable to Southeast Asia’s famed wildlife corridors.

A remote, mountainous corner of northern Greece known as the Prespa lakes basin—a crossroads of Greece, Albania, and North Macedonia—is rapidly gaining attention among nature tourists and conservationists, thanks to new research and grassroots efforts to boost sustainable travel while preserving its stunning biodiversity. Once virtually unknown outside dedicated ornithologist and ecotourist circles, this region is now being promoted as a destination for walkers, birdwatchers, and anyone seeking a deeper connection with unspoiled landscapes, centuries-old culture, and unique wildlife ().

Aiming to revive Thailand’s tourism after floods, fires, and pandemic disruptions, this revision draws lessons from Maui’s post-disaster rebound. Hawaiian experience shows recovery is a long, careful process that restores visitor confidence and sustains local livelihoods through balanced marketing and community resilience.

Two years after West Maui’s wildfires, the island’s tourism climb illustrates both progress and ongoing hurdles. Visitor arrivals rose by 11.2 percent year over year but remain about 17 percent below pre-disaster levels, underscoring the extended timeline required for full recovery. The Maui case highlights a common pattern: even with rebuilt infrastructure, reputational recovery lags and demands persistent, credible communication.

A downturn in Hawaii’s tourism this summer serves as a warning to island destinations worldwide. A new report shows fewer visitors than last year, signaling potential stress on local livelihoods and the broader travel economy. Thailand, navigating post-pandemic shifts, can draw important lessons from Hawaii’s experience.

Historically, Hawaii welcomed more than 10 million visitors annually, a benchmark for island economies. The decline results from several factors, including lingering effects of the 2023 Lahaina fire, higher travel costs, and broader global economic changes. Economists warn the downturn could persist, with implications for jobs and business activity in the months ahead. The situation highlights how quickly tourism-dependent communities feel the impact of shocks.

Hawaii’s tourism sector — long considered a bellwether for global island destinations — is experiencing a significant downturn this summer, sparking worry among industry experts, policymakers, and local businesses. A new report by SFGate highlights that June’s daily visitor counts are down sharply compared to 2024, with similar trends expected for July and August, shattering hopes for a robust seasonal recovery (SFGate). The story holds vital lessons for the Thai tourism industry, which faces its own post-pandemic uncertainties.

On a midweek afternoon in Bangkok, a seasoned travel planner shared a striking insight: the latest high-end adventures aren’t about pristine five-star resorts, but about immersive experiences that connect visitors with local communities. In Southeast Asia, a new model of travel is taking shape—one that blends luxury with authentic, locally led encounters. This shift is reshaping how Thais and international visitors experience Thailand and its neighbors, emphasizing meaningful connections over mere opulence.