Not Always a Bed of Roses:

The Downside of Social Capital in Community-Based Tourism

Abstract

Community-Based Tourism [CBT] can bring direct benefits to a community, especially when they work with external partners to become stronger.  Nevertheless, is not always a bed of roses in the social relationships of the people involved. Less is spoken about the downside of social capital, but it could be an element affecting CBT initiative. Thus, this paper explores this concept aiming to identify social capital characteristics that affect the Associação Peixe-boi (Porto de Pedras, Alagoas, Brazil) experience. Thereunto, semi structured interviews were conducted along with observation. The categories found in the literature were confirmed by content analysis: exclusion of outsiders, excess claims on group members, restrictions on individual freedoms, and downward leveling norms. Beyond what was expected, the results show a split between two groups inside the community, creating conflicts that are associated to a CTB initiative slower development.