Proceedings of the Tourism and Hospitality International Conference (THIC 2012)

COMMUNITY-BASED TOURISM (CBT): LOCAL COMMUNITY

PERCEPTIONS TOWARD SOCIAL & CULTURAL IMPACTS

Sharon Esther Anak Donny Sita and Dr. Nor Ashikin Mohd. Nor

College of Law, Government and International Studies (COLGIS),

Universiti Utara Malaysia, 06010 Sintok,

Kedah Darul Aman, Malaysia

ABSTRACT

Community-based tourism (CBT) is normally regarded as a platform for local community to

generate economic benefits through offering their products to tourists that range from the local
communities, lifestyles, natural resources, and cultures. CBT is also characterized as a
development programme which enhances the social and cultural benefits of local community
through the social and cultural exchanges with tourists.

A homestay programme is a programme that requires a great participation and support from
local community in tourism. It also encourages community members participation in
decision making so that benefits can be equally shared, and planning and development can be
easily implemented. This programme cannot be sustained if the supports and participations
from local community are insufficient. This factor can be a challenge since not every
individual can accept and able to perceive positively on the development of the programme. A
convergence between two different cultures will lead to greater social and cultural impacts.
The exchange experiences are changing over times and depend on the interaction between
local communities and tourists to form various perceptions that can be positive or negative.
Hence, understanding the perceptions is vital to maximize benefits and minimize impacts,
besides to sustain the homestay programme.

A continuous support on tourism is achieved when the interaction benefits the local
community. The theoretical framework, which best explains on how local community
perceives impacts, is Social Exchange Theory. This theory states that an individual who
perceives more benefits than costs is likely to support development unlike an individual who
perceives more costs than benefits. This paper provides a conceptual framework based on
literature review on tourism impacts, and local community perceptions toward tourism social
and cultural impacts. The review discloses that different individual has different perceptions,
experiences, and benefits attributed to the tourism planning and development in their area.

Keywords: Community-based Tourism (CBT); homestay programme; local community

perceptions; social and cultural impacts; Social Exchange Theory

Introduction
This paper aims to identify the perceptions from the local communities toward the tourism
social and cultural impacts. The tourism impacts can lead to positive and/or negative impacts
(social and cultural) on the local communities. The participation from the local communities
determines the benefits and costs resulted from the tourism activities. Hsu (2006) depicted that
the studies on tourism development and impacts among the local communities have become
important to the tourism researchers since many years ago. In the 20 th century, a number of
tourism studies have been conducted by various tourism researchers such as Akkawi (2010),
Alhasanat (2008), Andereck, Valentine, Knopf and Vogt, (2005), Brida, Osti and Faccioli (2011),
Sharma and Dyer (2006), Spanou (2007), and Zhang (2008). The importance of this type of
research is to cope with fast growth of the tourism industry, lifestyles changes, and emergence
of new characteristics in tourism development (Zhang, 2008, p.20). Given the interaction and
exchange of resources between local communities and visitors happen at the tourism
destination, it becomes so crucial to understand the local communities perceptions derived
from their participation in tourism activities. Generally, tourism development is always seen as
a platform to develop the local communities which leading to a Community-based tourism
(CBT).

A study such as Community-based tourism (CBT) improves the rural economies (Goodwin &
Santilli, 2009; and Harwood, 2010), emphasizes the local participation (Armstrong, 2012; and
Mohd. Nor & Kayat, 2010), empowers the local community (Armstrong, 2012; and Harwood,
2010), owns and manages by local community (Armstrong, 2012; Dunn, 2007; Goodwin &
Santilli, 2009; and Harwood, 2010), sustainability (Armstrong, 2012; Harwood, 2010; and
Mohd. Nor, 2009), and reduces poverty (Zapata, Hall, Lindo & Vanderschaeghe, 2011) are the
examples of study on CBT that have been conducted. Although the intentions of prior studies
were to address the aspects of CBT, rarely have they studied on the monitoring of benefits from
a community-based perspective (Zapata et al., 2011, p.746). The local communities
perceptions on tourism impacts are crucial since they are inevitably to be affected positively and
negatively resulted from their participation.

Aps Social Exchange Theory (1992) is a well-accepted and suitable theoretical framework
(Andereck et al., 2005; Brida et al., 2011; and Latkova & Vogt, 2012) to analyze the local
communities perceptions toward impacts and tourism development. Thus, this model assists to
understand the connection between local communities participations, perceptions on tourism
social and cultural impacts (positive and negative), and support for additional or restrictions on
tourism development.

Community-based tourism (CBT)

The involvement in CBT improves the lifestyles and encourages great exchange in social and
cultural among the local communities and visitors. Though CBT was generally understood as
nature conservation through ecotourism (Zapata et al., 2011, p.726), the concept has been
broaden and enormous range of tourism products like traditional performances, and handicraft
productions are provided to visitors. Hence, understanding the perceptions from local
communities resulted from their active participation and interaction with visitors is very crucial.
This understanding benefits the local community equally and ensuring the supply of tourism
products to the visitors is continuously. Moreover, the local community has the chance to
manage their own resources, and make decisions for the benefits of present generation without
comprising the organizational structure of the future generation. At this point, CBT portrays the
proper management practices resulted from good interaction between the local communities.
The Community-based tourism (CBT) is defined as a means of development whereby social,
environmental and economic needs of local communities are met through the offering of a
tourism product (Goodwin & Santilli, 2009, p. 4). Goodwin and Santilli (2009) added that the
large majority of community-based tourism enterprises are based on the development of
community-owned and managed lodges or homestays (p. 12). Meaning, the local communities
are the decision-maker and have the power to manage their own products to benefit the present
and future visitors.

The community-based tourism comprises of crucial facets like local communities, natural
resources, cultures, and lifestyles. This type of tourism gives opportunities for the local
communities to set up their own small-scale self-managed business. The natural resources are
part of tourism products that locals offer to the visitors. Besides that, numerous culture
practices by the locals are motivators to tourists who are eager to see themselves the differences
of cultures, as compared to theirs. With that, guests will have the opportunity to experience and
learn about the local ways of life and cultures. In fact, these activities are a complete package
that can be found in a homestay programme, a programme that involves active participation
among the community who have skills and knowledge already exists in them (Dunn, 2007,
p.14) and is a source of income, particularly to community in rural areas.

These facets of CBT are integrated into Malaysia Homestay Programme. Malaysia Homestay
Programme as defined by the Ministry of Tourism, (2011) as a form of experience that tourists
staying with host family of homestay operators who have registered with the Ministry of
Tourism (p.2). During the stay, host family will interact with visitors and educate them about
their social norms and beliefs. Besides that, visitors have the chance to cook the traditional
food, try on traditional costumes, and even do farming with the host family. Support on
homestay programme among the local communities explains the significant increase in the
numbers of registered homestays throughout Malaysia. In the year 2005, there were 78 villages
registered with the Ministry of Tourism (Kayat, 2007, p. 141), and the number has increased to
231 villages registered until the end of the year 2011 (Ministry of Tourism, 2012). Indeed, a
homestay programme is not a new programme in Malaysia. The programme was launched in
the year 1995 in Temerloh, Pahang by the Ministry of Tourism Malaysia, formerly known as
Ministry of Culture, Arts and Tourism Malaysia - MOCAT (Ministry of Tourism, 2011). Local
communities are encouraged to participate and contribute their knowledge besides sharing
their cultures and traditions to the visitors. The Government has allocated required capitals to
the local communities in homestay destinations. Training is given to them as to increase their
understanding on tourism and its benefits, besides empowering them economically, socially, and
culturally. A basic training programme, organized by Institut Kemajuan Desa under the
Kementerian Kemajuan Luar Bandar Dan Wilayah (KKLW), prepares local communities with
knowledge and skills to create entrepreneurs and at the same time increase their awareness
about the potential of rural tourism in generating extra source of income. This training also
stimulates the efforts to beautify the environment as well as nurture and conserve the cultural
heritage of the rural communities (INFRA, 2012).

Homestay programme in Malaysia has the potential to portray the enormous range of unique
rural tourism products like cultures and lifestyles to the visitors. Besides that, the richness of
natural resources such as waterfalls, orchards, clear water rivers, mountains, just to mention a
few, are elements to attract tourists, particularly the nature-lovers. Homestay hosts will serve
the guests with traditional food, provide them rooms to sleep, as well as entertainments, like
traditional dances and games, whereby they have the opportunity to take part in the activities
together with the locals. The local community in rural areas have the capability in making a
handmade handicraft products made from natural resources, for example a rattan basket or
bangle. The end products will be sold to the visitors either in their houses or at the souvenir
shop. This small-scale business activity assists the local community in generating additional
income. Thus, upon realizing the benefits attributed to their participation in tourism activities,
the local community will be more likely to support the future development in their area. Thus,
the study of perceptions among the local community is crucial. Harwood (2010) mentioned that
the primary purpose of CBT as a community development outcome is to provide opportunities
that distribute benefits (p. 1911). Harwood (2010) included economic returns, while also
empowerment of the community with the skills and resources to develop a sustainable tourism
enterprise as the benefits. It is much accepted that CBT provides job opportunities to the local
community, though the income generated from tourism activities is not their main source
(Zapata et al., 2011, p.736). This is because the local communities work in different sectors,
thus participating in CBT is considered as a supplementary activity to gain additional income.
CBT benefits the social structure of local community through their participation. There are
various facilities developed to benefits the local community such as schools, clinic, and grinding
mills (Goodwin & Santilli, 2009). This creates a good image to the destination and, thus
encourages for active interactions and exchanges between the local communities and visitors.
Eventually, this will lead to greater support and local communities are more optimists toward
the future tourism development in their area.
 Not only the facets of CBT can be applied to Malaysia Homestay Programme. The definition
of CBT also reflects the relevancy of Malaysia Homestay Programme to be part of CBT.
According to REST (Responsible Ecological Social Tour) as cited by Suansri (2003), CBT is
defined as:

tourism that takes environmental, social and cultural sustainability into account. It
is managed and owned by the community, for the community, with the purpose of
enabling visitors to increase their awareness and learn about the community and
local ways of life (p.14)

From the definition, CBT comprises of environment (including social and cultural), visitors,
and local community. These three elements are also the crucial aspects in a homestay
programme. The local communities are the central element since that basic requirement for a
successful homestay programme is acceptance from all community member (Mohd. Nor &
Kayat, 2010, p.72). In a homestay programme, there is an interaction occurs between the local
community and visitors in a tourism destination. This interaction exists since the local
communities keen to share their knowledge and cultures with their visitors of different
identities. Given the interaction with visitors results to positive perception to the local
communities, the exchange of resources is very likely to happen. This exchange of resources is
through the active local communities participations. Identifying the perceptions of the local
communities through the participation in a homestay programme will lead to the understanding
of their support (or restrictions) on tourism development, and eventually the future of tourism
development in their area. In fact, for a homestay programme to sustain and succeed, supports
from the local communities are very crucial (Kayat, 2010, p.313). At the same time, the two
different social and cultural structures will converge, thus lead to positive and negative impacts.
(Figure 1).

Figure 1: Application of CBT elements to the homestay programme

Homestay programme

Environment Local Visitors

communiti
es

Interaction and exchange (social and cultural)

At this point, local communities are able to see both positive and negative impacts attributed
to the homestay development in their area. Eventually, the homestay participants have their
own perceptions of how the homestay development contributes to both social and cultural
impacts in the homestay programme. These perceptions are based on their experiences and
benefits from participating in the homestay programme. However, the impacts perceived by the
locals are various. For example, local community who benefits directly from the tourism
activities will have a positive perception toward the tourism development, unlike locals who do
not benefit directly. Therefore, supports from the locals are seen more obvious by their active
participation in homestay programme.

In contrast, local community has the tendency not to support the tourism activities and there
will be feeling of resentment, because of the emergence of incipient conflicts (Zapata et al.,
2011, p.740). For example, social problem like immoral behaviors among the teenagers that
becomes a concern to the elders. As the local community realizes the possible costs in tourism
destination, they will not consider the benefits. Eventually, they will support for restrictions on
the development of tourism in their destination.
Local communities perceptions toward tourism social and cultural impacts
Zhang (2008) stated that tourism impacts studies continued in the new century to cope with
fast growth of the tourism industry, lifestyles changes and emergence of new characteristics in
tourism development (p.20). Since the quality of life of local communities is affected due to
tourism development, the concern to acknowledge the impacts is increasing. Over the times,
tourism develops with more visitors coming to a tourism destination and involving in tourism
activities, number of facilities has increased to ensure the well-being of both local communities
and visitors. However, along with the development, the local community has the tendency to
perceive the outcome of tourism activities differently from each other. Thus, the understanding
on differences in perceptions among the local communities is crucial.

Referring to a study of residents perceptions and attitudes towards tourism impacts by

Brida, Osti and Faccioli (2011), the researchers noticed number of positive responds from the
residents: tourism was an attractor to economic investments and spending; tourism was
considered as a factor that contributes to a higher standard of living; and tourism provided more
facilities and services to the residents. In contrast, a study of residents in Qatar towards the
development in conservative cultures by Akkawi (2010) concluded that the residents believed
the tourism increased the level of traffic congestion, and claimed this impact to be the primary
complaint in the study. Clearly, tourism can have both positive and negative impact on the local
communitys social and cultural structure.

Given that both domestic tourism and international tourism are growing, the understanding of
the social and cultural impacts attributed to the development is crucial. Witt (1991) defined
social and cultural impacts of tourism as:

methods by which tourism contributes to changes in value system, individual

behavior, family relationships, collective lifestyles, moral conduct, creative
expressions, traditional ceremonies and community organizations, i.e. social and
cultural impacts are the effects on the people of host communities caused by their
direct or indirect associations with tourists (p.43).

Besides that, such research on perceptions is crucial since development of tourism is more
rapid and sustainability is vital to meet the needs of present without harming the social and
cultural organizational structure of the future generations. A study by Frater (1996) mentioned
that a number of research studies have examined the socio-cultural impacts (p. 32), and are
getting more important in the tourism study. The tourists leaved the impacts on both social and
cultural life of local community since they behave differently (Spanou, 2007, p.148) while on
vacation. As the impacts affect the lifestyles of the community, thus, a study to understand the
changes has to be done. In an effort to generate greater understanding on the
successfulness of homestay programme in a destination, perceptions from local
community are worth to be identified because some villages are enjoying the homestay
programme activities while others feel inconvenience by noise or crowd associated with
the activities. Therefore, social and cultural impacts of tourism have to be taken into account
so that benefits can be maximized and problems can be minimized.

Frater (1996) suggested that adequate knowledge of the impact of tourism is an important
ingredient which needs to be given priority by individuals involved with decision making about
tourism planning and development (p. 19), given that the decision makers determine whether
the gains within the community outweigh the cost to the community (Spanou, 2007, p.151).
Among the positive impacts of tourism perceived by the study population were tourism
improves the image, upgrades the lifestyle, encourages women to work in the industry, and
increases pride in national culture (Alhasanat, 2008), enhances the infrastructures (Alhasanat,
2008; and Sharma & Dyer, 2006); creates employment and investment (Akkawi, 2010;
Alhasanat, 2008; and Sharma & Dyer, 2006); and provides valuable experience when meeting
tourists from other countries (Sharma & Dyer, 2006).
 Meanwhile, from the negative perspective, studies have identified concern with effects on
immoral behaviors, misbehaving among the youngster, social bonds and family structure, and
increased cost of living (Alhasanat, 2008), crime (Alhasanat, 2008; Brunt & Courtney, 1999; and
Kariel & Kariel, 1982), and crowding, traffic congestion, and parking problems (Akkawi, 2010;
Alhasanat, 2008; Brunt & Courtney, 1999; Ritchie & Inkari, 2006; and Sharma & Dyer, 2006).

Study by Brunt and Courtney (1999) showed that overcrowding and traffic congestion are
commonly caused to resentment and stress among the communities. The traffic congestion
deemed to be the major concern as compared to other negative statements regarding tourism
impacts (Latkova & Vogt, 2012; and Sharma & Dyer, 2006). These findings, however,
contradicted to Hsu (2006) who found that the residents in Lan-Yu, Taiwan felt that recreation
areas were not overcrowded because of tourism. Traffic problem is also been taken into account
as one of social impacts perceived among residents by Brunt and Courtney (1999) and later by
Ritchie and Inkari (2006) who mentioned that traffic and parking problems have increased
because of cultural events.

Tourism development helps to provide greater opportunities in employment, both directly

and indirectly (Akkawi, 2010; Frater, 1996; and Witt, 1991). In a homestay programme, a
homestay host is regarded as a direct employment. The women in a tourism society are not to
be underestimated. In fact, these traditional female skills (Zapata et al., 2011, p738) are
mostly involved in weaving, pottery, wood carving, and embroidery. As tourism develops, the
demands for handicraft products are also increased. This is supported by Din (1997) that
tourism has provided opportunities to the local communities in producing more handicraft
products. These talents have been instilled within the local community for hundreds of years
and practiced in a small villages (Witt, 1991, p.44).

Several researchers have reported that crime is attributed to the development of tourism in a
destination (Alhasanat, 2008; Brunt & Courtney, 1999; and Kariel & Kariel, 1982). Despite the
development of tourism in a destination, the local community has great concerns about the
tourism costs, especially crime. Crime is often being associated with social problem. A study by
Brunt and Courtney (1999) suggested that tourism in Dawlish had increased the crime within
the communities. In addition, an often interaction between local communities and tourists at a
tourism destination has led to a more serious social impact. This is because of varieties of
behaviors and attitudes of tourists that encouraged the local youngsters to misbehaving and
adopting different sets of values on morality, style of dressing (Witt, 1991, p.44) that
contradict with traditional values. Other tourism social impacts that have been perceived
negatively by the local communities include alcoholic consumption, and drugs (Din, 1997).
However, this type of crime has been criticized by few researchers since the media played a role
in advertising or rejecting tourism by portraying tourism as creating negative impacts within the
local community (Spanou, 2007).

Study of socio-cultural impacts of residents in the Austrian Alps by Kariel and Kariel (1982),
believed that the local dialect in the community is used less, since it is necessary to
communicate with tourists in a more standard German language (tourist language). This is
similar to Spanou (2007) who found that the local community in Cyprus dislikes the changes in
lifestyle quality of Cypriots, given that tourist languages were used more often compared to
locals language since the destination filled with tourists. In fact, communication with tourists in
tourists languages enables the local communities to be more confident when demonstrating or
interpreting about their tourism products to the tourists. Consequently, the tourists will be
encouraged to listen attentively to the explanation, thus perceiving their vacation as a valuable
experience. In addition, Alhasanat (2008) mentioned that locals were able to learn foreign
language when they worked in tourism industry. The perceptions on communicating in foreign
language with tourists derived from interest in social and cultural exchange to induce
interaction between local communities and tourists. On a contrary, Brunt and Courtney (1999)
found the opposite result. They mentioned that there was no suggestion among local
communities to learn foreign languages, despite the arrival of tourists to their destination. In
fact, there was no evidence found on local communities who wanted to learn the foreign
language.

The homestay programme involves frequent interactions between hosts and guests. The
enormous range of cultures among the tourists, that create greater opportunity for local
community to meet new people, is viewed as a motivation and goal to local community to
broaden their knowledge about others, but also create an effect or outcome (Spanou, 2007,
p.148) when the convergence between these two different cultures in the tourism destination.
Nevertheless, locals who are involving directly and actively in homestay programme are likely to
be more open-minded, hence perceive positively towards the tourism development. A study by
Hsu (2006) found that residents in Lan-Yu enjoyed interacting with tourists. In fact, the local
community who has adequate knowledge about tourism and benefits are likely to have greater
positive perceptions on tourism. However, Dolezal (2011, p.133) criticized the minimal direct
contact resulted from her observation on tourists and locals in homestay programme at Ban
Talae Nok, Thailand. She emphasized the situation as collides with expectation of finding the
authentic (p.134) among tourists in the local community.

Dogan (1989) found that local communitys social and cultural characteristics such as habits,
daily routines, social lives, beliefs, and values affected by the development of tourism. Moreover,
if the development persistent without proper planning and process, the local community are
likely to resist the tourism activities and perceive tourism costs overweigh benefits. In fact,
Brunt and Courtney (1999) stated that social impacts can be described as those which have a
more immediate effect on both tourists and host communities in terms of their quality of life
(p.495). Tourism development has resulted to a positive progress of the local communities
ways of life, by means of increasing their standard of living and income. The development of
infrastructure (telecommunications, water, and electric supply), roads, services (clinics and
transportation) and others encourage cultural exchange between tourist (Inskeep, 1991,
p.172). Thus, tourism provides greater benefits than costs and eventually increases the support
from local community. The improvement of villages image has allured more tourists to come
and visit the destination. Hence, there will be more tourism activities to be carried out. These
activities require a positive support and active participation from the local communities.

According to Din (1997) there are difficulties in identifying the linkages between culture and
tourism (p.105). For this reason, cultural impact of tourism is not easy to measure as compared
to social impact. In fact, the perceptions of tourism social and cultural impacts are different
from one person to another. The diversity of the culture (Frater, 1996, p.7) results to various
ways of how the local communities perceive the tourism impacts in their area. It is accepted
that there have been diversity in perceptions on cultural impact, given that some locals will be in
favorable or unfavorable toward tourism. The great cultural exchange between local
communities and tourists in tourism changes the traditional culture, and it decreases the
lifestyle quality (Spanou, 2007, p.152) of local community. For example, the tourists will be
dressed in traditional costumes when having meals together with the local communities.
However, the good interaction will allow the local communities to learn about the culture of the
international tourists. Thus, it is vital to understand the cultural impacts perceived by the locals
who are residing at the tourism destination. Similarly, a study of Dogon Country in Mali by
Ballo (2010) revealed that cultural impacts of tourism are often difficult to measure, because, to
a large extent, they are indirect. The homestay programme activities increase the pride of the
local communities by maintaining the traditions and cultures or otherwise cause changes that
are mostly unfavorable to the locals. Furthermore, Frater (1996) stated that because
differences in cultural behavior between visitors and local communities are sometimes so great,
the mutual understanding is replaced by antipathy (p.32), and then the relationship between
the local communities and visitors converges to form the negative impacts. Eventually, the locals
are likely to decline the presence of international tourists to their area. At this stage, further
planning and development will be impossible to be implemented.

Tourists select a destination that offers tremendous exciting tourism products. Therefore,
more social and cultural exchange will occur between local communities and tourists. At the
same time, as the local community attempts to best fit the tourists expectations, they will adopt
tourists attitudes and make the culture recognizable to the tourists. The changes resulting
from intercultural contact (Wall & Mathieson, 2006, p.265) are actually resulted to tourism
costs within the local community. For example, a number of souvenirs are designed with less
emphasize on traditional concept, but adapting more modern and attractive design to encourage
tourists to buy.

The interaction of local communities can change over times depending on their perceptions
towards tourism impacts in homestay programme. They are likely to be annoyed if the visitors
of different cultures show negligent towards their locals norms. Moreover, the arrival of the
visitors in a big group will create annoyance to the local communities. To some extent, the
arrival of large number of tourists to the homestay will have the tendency to change the
traditional performances. This negative feeling attributes to the demands from the visitors,
particularly the international visitors who are eager to seek for more cultural activities and
performances. For example, the local communities who take part in the traditional dance have
to prepare themselves for the performance. Ballo (2010) stated that one thing that will impact
the attractiveness of the destination is the sale of ritual objects and other authentic artifacts
outside the destination (p. 17). In the beginning of the homestay programme development, the
locals welcome tourists and happy with their presence to the tourism destination. The locals
only feel the changes when the homestay programme activities cause changes in the traditions
and cultures of their community.

Figure 2: Conceptual model of local communities tourism perceptions

Perceived Tourism Benefits Support for additional
-Social benefits tourism development
Social -Cultural benefits
Future
Participation Exchange tourism
Theory
Perceived tourism costs development
(Ap,
1992) -Social costs Support for restrictions
-Cultural costs on tourism development

Source: Adapted from Ap (1992), and Perdue, Long, and Allen (1990)

Application of the model

The proposed conceptual model can be applied in the homestay programme. Since homestay
programme involves great participation and interaction between the local communities and
visitors, the model begins with the local communities participations. The interaction between
the local communities and visitors governs the local communities perceptions toward social
and cultural benefits and costs. In addition, the latter part of the model explains on how these
perceptions lead to the local communities support in tourism development. In brief, the model
portrays the connection of participation and support to the future of tourism development.
(Figure 2).

The participation from local communities is through the interaction and exchange of
resources with visitors during the homestay visits. The local communities are likely to interact
more when they are able to see the benefits resulted from the interaction. Unlikely, local
communities who do not enjoy participating and obtaining less benefit from homestay
programme are likely to be more concern on restrictions attributed to negative perceptions
toward the tourism development.
 Latkova and Vogt (2012) in their study have discovered that the local communities are not
being taught about tourism development and its benefits. Therefore, they (2012, p.63) further
suggested that traditional economic benefits associated with tourism, environmental and
sociocultural benefits, and contribution of tourism to overall quality of life, need to be promoted
to residents. Hence, the model which integrates Aps Social Exchange Theory provides the basis
for explaining the process which begins from the local communities participations to the
perceived social and cultural impacts. From the perceptions, the local communities will be able
to determine their support toward the tourism development, thus indicating their respond on
the future of tourism development in their area.

Every variable in the model is crucial and needs detailed understanding. First, the model
involves the local communities who continuously provide resources and skills to diversify the
tourism products. Hence, it is important to understanding their perceptions associated with
tourism development, by identifying the benefits and costs that they have obtained from
tourism activities. Second, this model reflects social relationships primarily as exchanges of
goods and services (Hsu, 2006, p.19) between local communities and visitors. The
relationships during the exchange are changing over times, depending on the way local
communities perceive their interaction whether it brings benefit to them, or otherwise. Thus,
Aps Social Exchange Theory deemed to be an appropriate model as a guidance to understand
the impacts resulted from the relationship. Third, homestay programme involves interaction
between local communities and visitors who are from various backgrounds. Convergence
between these two groups leads to various perceptions; hence the understanding of local
communities perceptions on social and cultural impacts is crucial to improve the well-being of
their life and encourage them to participate more in the tourism activities. Therefore, benefits
can be distributed equally without compromising the natural resources and local communities
in the future.