Assessing the Contribution of Ecotourism and Community-Based Ecotourism to Community Resilience in the Pamirs

Tajikistan, a mountainous country in Central Asia, holds considerable potential for the development of ecotourism, particularly through community-based ecotourism (CBE), as a means of enhancing community resilience. The Pamir region, situated in the eastern part of the country, serves as a compelling case study for examining this potential. This study hypothesizes that ecotourism, especially CBE, can contribute to increased resilience among geographically and economically marginalized communities. To evaluate this hypothesis, we pose two guiding research questions: (1) In what ways is ecotourism contributing to community resilience in the Pamirs? and (2) How is CBE being integrated into ecotourism to further promote community resilience? To investigate these questions, 31 in-depth interviews were conducted with individuals directly engaged in the ecotourism sector. Findings indicate that stakeholders acknowledge the conceptual complexity of ecotourism. Regarding the current extent of CBE, the sector is still developing, with support from non-governmental organizations, but with potential for future expansion. Respondents reported that CBE initiatives have contributed to enhanced economic and community stability, increased participation in decision-making processes, and greater awareness of environmental and cultural conservation. These outcomes suggest that ecotourism and CBE contribute meaningfully to enhancing community resilience for participating communities. Nonetheless, several challenges persist, including inadequate infrastructure and insufficient government policy support, which may impede the development of this sector.