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In Khasiapunji, an indigenous minority community in Bangladesh, community-based tourism (CBT) has emerged with support from the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Bangladesh Tourism Board. This model not only generates income but also empowers local people in managing and shaping tourism development.
Through local homestay experiences and cultural respect, the initiative is opening new livelihood opportunities—particularly for women and youth—while offering a promising template for sustainable tourism development in the country.
Community-Based Tourism: From Global Concept to Local Practice
While community-based tourism (CBT) has been successfully implemented in various parts of the world, Bangladesh is only at the beginning of this journey—and Khasiapunji stands as an inspiring point of origin. Initiated by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and coordinated by the Bangladesh Tourism Board under the Ministry of Tourism, the CBT initiative has gradually expanded to multiple localities, with Khasiapunji maintaining its pioneering status.
In this context, CBT is built upon a core principle: empowering local communities—especially those historically excluded from tourism development decision-making—to become active agents. Rather than passive participants, local people are engaged in policymaking, product operation, and financial benefit distribution. CBT here is not merely an economic model, but a development philosophy that places people and indigenous culture at its center.
Tourism That Invites Guests to Stay, Understand, and Respect
Khasiapunji does not welcome tourists with luxury hotels or industrialized services. Instead, visitors stay in local homes, share traditional meals, and participate in daily communal life. They are offered the chance to live as locals—to learn customs, rituals, cultural values, and even the Khasi language. This depth of experience is something mass tourism simply cannot offer.
However, such experiences are grounded in a vital commitment: mutual trust and respect. Visitors are expected to adhere to community codes of conduct, respect private spaces, and honor the emotions and dignity of the residents. These are not restrictive rules but necessary conditions for creating a fair, sustainable, and ethical tourism environment.
New Livelihoods, New Mindsets, and Long-Term Visions
The ILO identifies CBT as a powerful tool for promoting economic development and entrepreneurship, especially among youth, women, and vulnerable groups. In Khasiapunji, diverse new occupations have emerged—from homestay operators and tour guides to traditional food producers and handicraft artisans. Each role contributes to building a vibrant, locally grounded economic ecosystem.
This transformation is not only material, but also cognitive. One local leader once admitted that CBT was completely new to him. However, after witnessing its positive impact—from real income to a revived sense of cultural pride—he became a strong advocate of the model. Positive feedback from travelers reinforces this success: many return multiple times, bringing friends and family, as a testament to the authenticity and emotional depth of their experience.
