From Gobi to Ghana: What the latest research on community tourism means for Thailand
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.