Are Homestays intrinsically better in any way than purpose-built Community-owned guesthouses?
Peter Richards: The level of interaction and cultural exchange is far greater in a homestay. The sense of having met and stayed with a family is more intimate and I personally consider it to be a more meaningful learning experience. On the other hand, there is less privacy in a homestay, and some people feel pressured to communicate when they are already tired. Quality control is far easier in a community lodge, because you dont need to negotiate standards. Also, you can include all families, no matter the state of their home, in lodge management. So, distribution of income from the accommodation component of the CBT tour could potentially be much easier to manage in a lodge. Still, I prefer homestay. In what way does Community Tourism better acknowledge the position (and plight) of women, rather than impose an extra burden on them? Potjana Suansri: CBT gives women a real and meaningful opportunity to participate actively in community development activities. In fact, the development of
