The Symbiotic Relationship Between Power Structures, Benefit Distribution, and Tourist Authentic Experience in Community-Based Tourism

Abstract

Community-based tourism (CBT) is widely promoted as a sustainable development model that empowers local communities, preserves cultural heritage, and provides authentic experiences for tourists. The concept of “authenticity” is central to the marketing and appeal of CBT. However, this article argues that the realization of authenticity in CBT is not a predetermined outcome but a dynamic and contested process, deeply entangled within the nexus of power structures and benefit distribution. Existing literature often treats community participation, benefit sharing, and authenticity as separate, albeit related, concepts. This study synthesizes these elements to propose a symbiotic relationship model. Through a critical review of literature and the application of a political ecology framework, this paper deconstructs how power asymmetries among key stakeholders-including external investors, local elites, community members, and tourists-shape the distribution of economic and social benefits. It further demonstrates how this distribution directly influences the cultural performances, staged environments, and narratives presented to tourists, thereby co-constructing the tourists' perceived authenticity. Conversely, tourists' pursuit and validation of a particular form of authenticity reinforce existing power hierarchies and economic flows. The paper utilizes a conceptual model and a typology table to illustrate these dynamics. It concludes that a truly sustainable and ethical CBT model must move beyond simplistic notions of authenticity and participation. It requires a deliberate restructuring of power towards more equitable governance and benefit-sharing mechanisms, which in turn fosters a more mutually constituted and critically reflexive form of authenticity for both hosts and guests.