About International Community Tourism Association
Tourism is important to the economies around the world. Tourism generates income, economic growth and national revenue, but it also can cause impacts on natural and cultural resources, eco-systems and local communities. That is why should give serious attention to the question how tourism incomes could benefit the locals as well as how to reduce or prevent the negative impact of tourism and sweeping commercialization of cultural heritages. 
The issue of how to better engage tourists in exchanging experiences, values, and way of life of the country that host them, rather than just making holiday and leaving little to the community is also under consideration. Hence, to improve the benefits of tourism at local level, whilst at the same time mitigating negative impacts thereof, it is important to emphasizes a community-centered approach operation and essentially deems capacity development of people in the communities the heart of tourism management.
Community tourism not only responds to the needs of tourists, but also empowers the locals to apply their knowledge in managing tourism within their own communities. Its goals are to protect and restore the natural resources in balance with local and cultural identity as well as to serve the economy of the communities, since caring for the resources is a collective responsibility of the community, not anyone in particular.