Transformative Capitals in Rural Tourism: Mediating Issues for Sustainable Livelihoods

The role of rural tourism in diversifying livelihood options and ensuring rural development has been widely acknowledged in the literature. In this vein, livelihood assets or community capitals evolved as pioneering elements. Although the critical impacts of the capitals on livelihoods have been explored on numerous occasions, the internal influence of these capitals remains largely unattended. Accordingly, this study aims to explore which capitals play the transformative role. From the literature, six capitals or livelihood assets (natural, human, social, built, economic, and institutional) were considered for investigation within a case context of Char Kukri Mukri, Bhola, Bangladesh. This destination is an island that also offers a rural setting. Moreover, the community's livelihood vulnerabilities at this destination provide an interesting frame of reference for exploring the research issue. In total, 27 semi-structured interviews were conducted to inform the research objectives along with observation techniques. Our observation notes and thematic analysis reveal that institutional (formal) and social (informal) capitals play a transformative role by (re)connecting the other four base capitals. A destination marked by ongoing natural disasters, a lack of skilled labour, impoverished infrastructure, and limited access to financial resources requires strengthening both formal and informal institutions to achieve the targeted livelihood objectives. The findings particularly highlight the role of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in promoting tourism as an alternative, sustainable livelihood option. Findings of this study will be useful to place-based development planners and policymakers in understanding the role of supportive institutions on positive livelihood outcomes among rural populations.