Asset-based community development as applied to tourism in Tibet

A pioneering tourism study demonstrates the feasibility of using asset-based community development (ABCD) as a strategy for poverty alleviation, particularly in politically sensitive regions like Tibet. The research, conducted in Lhasa, identified five key tourism assets—including world heritage sites and underdeveloped local resources such as traditional Tibetan yards and medicines—that hold significant potential for sustainable development. Through mixed-methods approaches, including photo-elicitation interviews and surveys, the study mapped community perceptions of asset value, development challenges, and desirability, revealing nuanced insights into local priorities. This work not only advances theoretical frameworks for community-based tourism but also provides actionable recommendations for policymakers, emphasizing the importance of integrating emic perspectives in marginalized environments.

Wu, M.-Y., & Pearce, P. L. (2013). Asset-based community development as applied to tourism in Tibet. Tourism Geographies, 16(3), 438–456. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616688.2013.824502