Scheyvens (2002, p.59) proposes an empowerment framework to analyze “the actual or potential impacts of tourism on local communities”. The four dimensions of empowerment are economic, social, psychological, and political empowerment (see Table). Scheyvens (2002, p.130) argues that “it is easy to be preoccupied with economic benefits from tourism, especially when considering impoverished communities, but development is multidimensional. It is thus also essential to consider issues such as whether a community has control over a tourism initiative (political empowerment), if it provides opportunities for people to develop new skills, gain respect within their communities and thus improve their self-esteem (psychological empowerment), and if it enhances community cohesion (social empowerment)”.

Framework for Assessing the Extent of Empowerment of Communities Involved in Tourism
(Scheyvens, 2002, p.60)
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