Tourism Development in a New Democracy: Residents’ Perceptions of Community-based Tourism in Mawlamyine, Myanmar

Abstract

The concept of community-based tourism (CBT) is not new, and definitions of CBT have proliferated in the years since Murphy (1985) expounded on the community involvement approach in tourism development. This study examined residents’ perceptions of CBT in Mawlamyine as a conduit for sustainable tourism amidst a climate of rapid economic and social change. Using a grounded theory approach, analysis of data collected from 14 semi-structured interviews with local residents and foreign tourists revealed that Mawlamyine’s tourism potential lies in its untouched natural resources and cultural heritage, yet is hindered by a lack of essential infrastructure and services. The city’s proximity to Mount Kyaitko, a popular tourist site, and Yangon, a major transit hub, has the potential to create strong market access to CBT projects. However, local residents cite the obscure governmental policies for obtaining permission to begin a CBT project as a major barrier.