Community Empowerment and Sustainable Tourism: Leveraging Asset-Based Community Development in Botswana's context

Olivia Nthoi; Jacob Mapara; Tonderai Vumbunu; Nelson Zengeni

doi:10.63726/jmsit.v2i1.348

Authors

Olivia Nthoi Botho University
Jacob Mapara
Tonderai Vumbunu
Nelson Zengeni

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63726/jmsit.v2i1.348

Keywords:

Asset Based Community Development, Community Based Tourism, sport events, product diversification

Abstract

Botswana’s tourism industry faces challenges of sustainability and economic diversification, particularly in rural areas where local communities possess untapped cultural and natural assets. This study examined how to leverage Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) principles to promote sustainable community-based tourism (CBT) initiatives. A mixed-methods approach was employed, integrating qualitative interviews with twenty (20) key stakeholders and quantitative surveys administered to one hundred and fifty (150) event participants, local residents, and tourists, using a purposive and stratified random sampling method. The study focused on two case studies: the Annual Desert Bush Walk in Jwaneng and the Tsodilo Hills Heritage Challenge, both grassroots initiatives supported by the CSI Concepts Foundation. Data collection involved focus group discussions, document analysis, structured questionnaires, and semi-structured interviews to capture both quantitative and qualitative perspectives. The findings revealed that ABCD effectively mobilised community assets, empowered local leadership’s accountability in decision making, and fostered a sense of community service without compensation, while partnerships with external organisations complemented the local efforts without undermining the community’s norms and beliefs. The survey results indicated that there was an active participant satisfaction, increased awareness of local heritage, and perceptions of economic benefits. The study underlines the potential of ABCD as a strategic framework for sustainable tourism development which advocates for stakeholder collaboration, continuous monitoring, and a holistic active engagement with local resilient communities in order to diversify tourism offerings.

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