Community based tourism : the potential of commercial homes in Siggiewi, Qrendi, Mqabba and Zurrieq

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to identify whether the villages of Siggiewi, Qrendi, Mqabba and Zurrieq have the potential to become sustainable tourist destinations. The study is divided in two parts to deduce the supply through the local people and the demand for the product through the tourists. A deductive approach has been used because the study is specific to the four villages. The results can be generalized to the population since 5.05 and 5.65 confidence interval at 95 per cent confidence level was achieved. The results were analysed through SPSS mainly through crosstab frequency tables and chi-square test. Four hypotheses were formulated, the null hypotheses were refuted and the alternative hypotheses confirmed. The results outline the tourists and locals opinions. Locals look positively at tourism in the villages. They outline benefits such as being exposed to foreign cultures, socializing with tourists and practicing foreign languages. Locals prefer tourists to be accommodated in private dwellings rather than shared houses. Privacy and lack of time were identified as barriers to hosting tourists. Tourists showed interest in accommodation in the villages. The majority prefer to use private accommodation rather than shared dwellings. Benefits perceived by tourists include the experience of village life, meeting local people and living like them. Furthermore, the results show that both locals and tourists value the community. They find benefit in accommodation in existing buildings such as safeguarding rural land which would otherwise be used to build tourist accommodation. The restoration of derelict buildings is valued by locals and appreciated by tourists as the heritage of the villages is preserved for future generations. This provides a legacy to the villagers and the sense of place can be enjoyed by the tourists. The main recommendation is to create a governing body which can develop and manage tourism at a community level. Policies will be created to provide a guideline to different stakeholders involved in the operations and organisations of activities.