Date of publication 16/10/2026
Community-based tourism: Discover a new way to travel
A closer look at community tourism: discover a new way to travel for eco-conscious travelers.
You’ve probably heard of community-based tourism, but what does it actually involve? It isn’t a particular type of trip or a single way of seeing things. It’s a flexible movement that has been changing the way we travel, especially over the last few decades.
Below, we explore what community-based tourism means, with real examples and the benefits it offers. You'll also discover how small gestures and thoughtful choices can help you embrace this philosophy during your next stay at Iberostar hotels.
What is community-based tourism?
A philosophy of travel
Community-based tourism is a philosophy of travel that takes shape through everyday decisions and experiences. It encourages travelers to connect with destinations and their communities in a more conscious and authentic way, making informed choices that reflect their values. Supporting local development and respecting each destination's environment, traditions, and way of life are central to this approach.
A little history: from the Manila Declaration to today
On October 10, 1980, the Manila Declaration laid the foundations for community-based tourism by recognizing tourism as an activity with far-reaching social and cultural implications. The Tourism Bill of Rights and Tourist Code of 1985, also adopted by the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), now known as UN Tourism, recognized tourism as a means of building mutual understanding and international cooperation.
Today, local communities themselves are often leading the way. In Mexico, for example, a decree has declared community-based tourism a matter of public interest. Costa Rica has hosted the Second National and International Congress on Rural and Community-Based Rural Tourism, while international partnerships, such as the one between Yucatán and the European Union, are helping put this approach into practice.
Why choose community-based tourism?
Benefits for local communities
One of the greatest benefits of community-based tourism is its ability to recognize and protect local traditions and cultures. It allows communities to share their own stories while honoring what makes each place unique. Through this approach, local people earn income directly, strengthen their economies, and gain greater independence. Respectful exchanges with travelers also help preserve cultural identities through fairer relationships, giving communities a stronger voice in their own future.
Benefits for your experience as a traveler
Your experience as a traveler can become more rewarding and meaningful, while also helping to improve your emotional well-being. Discovering new countries and traditions through community-based tourism allows you to develop a deeper understanding of local life. In a sense, this philosophy invites you to embark on two journeys at once: one across the world and another within yourself. The connections you make along the way can stay with you long after your vacation ends.
Benefits for the planet
Every destination has its own social and environmental realities. By placing respect for local people and their surroundings at its heart, community-based tourism can also benefit the planet. It encourages experiences that bring travelers closer to nature while recognizing the ancestral connections between local cultures and the places they call home. Outdoor activities, shopping at traditional markets, and discovering regional cuisine all offer different ways to experience a destination while developing a more thoughtful relationship with its natural environment.
How to practice community-based tourism on your travels
Do your research before you leave
The first step toward embracing community-based tourism is simply deciding to travel this way. Being present and mindful will help you approach each destination with an open mind and a fresh perspective. Before visiting another country, take time to learn about its history, political situation, and customs, while carefully considering your accommodation and activity options. This will help you prioritize experiences that bring you closer to local traditions, nature, and communities in a more genuine way. After all, there's a difference between visiting somewhere and truly getting to know it.
Take part in local life with respect
That openness will naturally encourage you to take a greater interest in the everyday life and culture of each destination. The aim is to build more meaningful and equitable connections through travel. Choose authentic experiences organized and led by local people, dine at neighborhood restaurants, shop thoughtfully to support independent artisans, and explore natural surroundings responsibly, particularly sensitive habitats that are home to wildlife and endangered plants.
Forms of community-based tourism you may already know
Cultural tourism
Community-based tourism seeks to share and preserve the distinctive culture of each destination, making it closely connected to culturally focused travel. For example, during a vacation in Mexico, choose activities that allow you to discover local customs and take part in traditional experiences rather than simply observing them from a distance. Childhood is also a wonderful time to inspire the next generation of travelers. When planning family activities, look for opportunities that allow children to learn new things while having fun.
Active and adventure tourism
Community-based tourism offers an ideal opportunity to combine outdoor activities with exploring the natural world. Bringing together active travel and adventure sports allows you to discover remarkable scenery while enjoying your favorite form of exercise. Join excursions led by local professionals, who know the terrain intimately and can share valuable insights into the ways their communities live in connection with the environment.
Food tourism
If you love food, make the most of your travels by discovering new flavors and recipes as you get to know each destination. Food is an expression of culture, and sharing it is another way to connect with a community. Culinary traditions and local ingredients can reveal a great deal about the place you're visiting. Whenever possible, choose locally grown produce and seasonal dishes, using your dining decisions to support small businesses and community economies.
Community-based tourism at Iberostar
The partnership with Planeterra
Through the Iberostar Foundation, Iberostar signed an agreement with the nonprofit organization Planeterra in 2023. Through this partnership, we’re working to promote community-based tourism across our destinations. Our goal is to develop more than 30 projects in 16 countries by 2030. Our approach focuses on integrating local businesses into the everyday operations of our hotels, creating opportunities for guests to connect with nearby communities.
Cenotes and local communities in the Riviera Maya
Cenotes are natural sinkholes, either open or enclosed, that provide access to underground water and are found throughout the Caribbean region. In Mayan culture, they were considered sacred and believed to be gateways to the underworld. Today, they remain important habitats for a variety of animal and plant species. They also form part of the underground water system the region relies on for its water supply and connect the sea with the jungle through an extensive network of submerged rivers.
The first project developed through Iberostar's partnership with Planeterra, which began taking shape in 2023, is located near our hotels in the Riviera Maya and other Mexican destinations. It involves the community of Chemuyil, in Quintana Roo, through the Bejil-Ha Riviera Maya cooperative, founded by seven young residents dedicated to protecting more than 50 cenotes in the area.
Handicrafts and cacao in Puerto Plata
Near our hotel in Puerto Plata, the Iberostar Foundation and Planeterra began collaborating with El Chocal, a cooperative run by local women, on a project supporting more than 200 cacao farmers and their families. During your stay, you can also purchase locally made handicrafts and discover the work of skilled artisans, including members of the Association of Petrified Wood Artisans (Asoartep).
Corals and mangroves
Our commitment to coastal health is reflected in our ongoing efforts to improve how we interact with the sea and beaches in our destinations. We've established coral nurseries at our resorts in Mexico, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic. In the natural areas surrounding our hotels, we’ve also planted more than 19,000 mangroves in the Dominican Republic, in locations including Bávaro Beach, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ). In Mexico, we’re working on mangrove conservation in Playa Paraíso.
Destinations where you can experience community-based tourism
Mexico and the Dominican Republic
Community-based tourism has strong roots in Latin America. A stay at our hotels in Mexico or hotels in the Dominican Republic is an opportunity to grow through travel while developing a genuine interest in local life, discovering the character and traditions of each region along the way.
In Mexico, Indigenous peoples and rural communities are actively working to protect their heritage and strengthen their economies through community-based tourism. Self-determination lies at the heart of their approach. In the Dominican Republic, community-based tourism is closely connected to nature, with local initiatives helping to celebrate and protect the country's cultural identity and natural heritage.
Other destinations
We also have hotels in other destinations across the Americas, including Brazil, Jamaica, and the island of Aruba. Each has its own history and a distinctive approach to community-based tourism. Exploring these places through the eyes of their communities opens the door to a deeper understanding of what makes them special. You can join in with traditional celebrations, discover the beauty of turquoise-water beaches, and savor local specialties. Every detail and every experience reveals another side of each destination's personality.
Travel inspired by community-based tourism with Iberostar
At Iberostar hotels, we strive to make it easier for you to connect with the culture, nature, and local communities of our destinations. From regional cuisine and natural surroundings to leisure activities and the small details that spark conversations, each experience offers an opportunity to feel closer to the place you're visiting.
Our Aliveness program brings together mindful leisure activities, movement, sports, and well-being. At Star Camp, our dedicated children's program, younger guests can learn through games and workshops while making friends and having fun. When you arrive at your hotel, ask about other experiences inspired by the destination and discover how to make community-based tourism part of your vacation.
