Title: Assessing the effectiveness of community-based tourism in promoting sustainable development: an empirical study based on Sajek Valley

Authors: Sanjoy Kumar Acharjee; Tanvir Ahmed

Addresses: Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Sonapur-3814, Noakhali, Bangladesh ' Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Sonapur-3814, Noakhali, Bangladesh

Abstract: This study aims to assess the effectiveness of community-based tourism in promoting sustainable development in Sajek Valley, Bangladesh, by exploring the impact of environmental conservation, preservation of culture, economic growth, and social equity. The paper took an approach of mixed methods, which utilises qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques. Data were collected from 200 respondents which include tourists, community members and stakeholders. The authors employed partial least square (PLS) to test the framework and structural equation modelling (SEM) to test the hypothesis. The study revealed that environmental conservation, cultural preservation, social equity, and economic growth all have a positive significant impact on the Sajek Valley's sustainability, and the strongest relationship is seen in cultural preservation. These outcomes are backed by statistically significant and positive path coefficients between the constructs and sustainable development outcomes. The results of the paper will be helpful to the stakeholders in assuming the complex connections between numerous factors contributing to sustainability through community-based tourism. This paper is among the first to assess the interrelationship between the practices of community-based tourism and the development of sustainable tourism, offering invaluable insights for the expansion of sustainability in that region.

Keywords: community-based tourism; sustainable development; cultural preservation; environmental conservation; social equity; economic growth; Sajek Valley; PLS-SEM; tourism stakeholders; Bangladesh.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLTM.2025.153884

International Journal of Leisure and Tourism Marketing, 2025 Vol.8 No.4, pp.310 - 325

Received: 04 Oct 2024
Accepted: 13 Jul 2025
Published online: 29 May 2026 *

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