The Stakeholders of Voluntourism, Community-Based Tourism, and Regenerative Tourism: An Integrated Framework

Abstract

Voluntourism, community-based tourism, and regenerative tourism represent three complementary approaches that collectively enhance tourism’s responsibility. Each of them offers unique insights and methodologies that, when combined, can reinforce the others, promoting a more sustainable and ethical tourism landscape. To fully account for stakeholder responsibilities within this integrated framework, a comprehensive mapping of stakeholders is essential. This theoretical exploration conducts a literature review to synthesize core features of stakeholders across voluntourism, community-based tourism, and regenerative tourism, identifying both direct and indirect indications of their roles and functions. The analysis highlights key categories of stakeholders, including tourism demand, supply, intermediaries, the regulative system, and the natural and cultural environment. By comparing the characteristics and responsibilities of these stakeholders, the review reveals significant commonalities among the three tourism approaches, while also identifying potential areas for improvement. Furthermore, the inputs and outputs of stakeholders are integratively defined. Ultimately, the study aims to broaden the understanding of each approach and emphasize the importance of collaborative responsibility among stakeholders in fostering a more sustainable tourism ecosystem. The insights gained from this exploration contribute to the ongoing discourse on responsible tourism practices and offer practical implications for stakeholders seeking to enhance their roles in this evolving landscape.