In this project a strategic model for sustainable community development through tourism is designed.
A pilot research in Ljusnarsberg, a deteriorating rural community in Sweden, is performed to develop the strategic model to come to a final concept. The result is a final strategic model based on literature research, insights from the pilot research area’s context analysis and experiences of implementing the strategic model in the pilot community.
The final concept of the strategic model presents a local organization that connects its community to the
ecotourism market to change the economical, socio- cultural and environmental deterioration into sustainable development. The organization facilitates active tourism development and reactive community development towards a strongly sustainable paradigm. In this paradigm all development is done within planetary boundaries.
Though still highly developmental, the strategic model could turn a deteriorating rural area into a developing
community that is attractive to live and sustainable for the future. Next to that can the model make rural living a more viable option, combating not only rural deterioration, but also the negative effects of urbanization.