Tourism boosts economic growth, particularly in developing nations, by increasing GDP, creating jobs, and facilitating foreign trade (Li et al., 2018). Pro-poor tourism (PPT) is a popular approach that focuses on local development, local poverty alleviation, and community engagement (Saayman & Giampiccoli, 2016). PPT empowers local people having low incomes by enhancing their economic, social, and environmental benefits and enabling them to participate in the tourist value chain through direct employment, company ownership, or complementary services such as local crafts or guiding (Elsawy, 2024). By alleviating poverty, it improves lives, and empowers residents by connecting them in tourism sector (Meyer, 2013). Here, local communities own and manage tourist operations, retaining a large percentage of the income, allowing them to control tourism development in their area, preserving their culture, and protecting their environment while improving their socioeconomic situations (Hossain et al., 2020; Restrepo Rico & Peterek, 2024). 

PPT aims to establish inclusive, egalitarian, and sustainable tourism systems, rather than the existing methods that often leak money and degrade the environment (Dłużewska & Giampiccoli, 2021). It also supports local development by creating adventages, fostering community engagement, providing jobs, promoting income diversification, and improving infrastructure, education, health, environmental and cultural heritage (Gonzo, 2023). This is especially true for developing countries (Medina‐Muñoz et al., 2016). Moulvibazar, situated in the northeastern part of Bangladesh, is an ideal location to test PPT for community development, as it serves as a microcosm for studying the rural tourism-driven development (Farzana, 2014). Moulvibazar's high tourist potential and socioeconomic marginalization make it a fascinating example for investigating the transformational power of pro-poor tourism (Hoque, 2020).

Tourism can significantly boost rural economies, particularly in developing nations like Bangladesh (Hossain & Wadood, 2020). Rural communities, particularly in Moulvibazar, continue to struggle to achieve sustainable development through tourism due to the structural inequalities, resource scarcity, and the exclusion of local communities from tourist value chains (Kazi et al., 2022). Poverty is the most significant concern in rural Bangladesh, as people there have minimal income and is vulnerable to market volatility and climatic uncertainties (Flores, 2024; Bhattarai et al., 2021). Basic amenities such as education, healthcare, and clean water are scarce in these regions, creating vulnerability there (Hossain et al., 2023). However, to successfully contribute to the development of rural people in the Moulvibazar with low incomes, tourism must be managed to promote fair benefit distribution, environmental sustainability, and local ownership (Restrepo Rico & Peterek, 2024).  The study aims to investigate the role of pro-poor tourism in community development in the Moulvibazar district of Bangladesh.

Tourism benefits developing nations by bringing in foreign investment, creating employment opportuni-ties, enhancing infrastructure, and thereby promoting poverty reduction, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability (Islam et al., 2023). Khan, (2024) noted that the Pro-Poor Tourism (PPT) policy aims to distribute tourism income more evenly, particularly among disadvantaged populations. Gonzo, (2023) noted that low-income individuals get benefits from their participation, cultural preservation, and environmental sustainability measures. Musavengane et al. (2019) opined that PPT integrates disadvantaged populations into the tourist value chain to enhance net benefits for low-income community members. PPT's basic beliefs include creating direct jobs for the people experiencing poverty, fostering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) owned by the poor, and promoting local commerce for tourists (Chok et al., 2007; Islam and Akter, 2022). Beyond economic rewards, this strategy enhances roads, schools, and hospitals and thus empowers disadvantaged groups like women, children, and indigenous people through public involvement in decision-making (Juma & Khademi-Vidra, 2019). PPT empowers local communities to safeguard the natural and cultural resources of low-income individuals, and thereby minimizing negative consequences (Gascón, 2015). Pro-poor tourism (PPT) reduces poverty by promoting sustainable development in impoverished areas. Bangladesh has diverse landscapes, a rich cultural history, and dynamic ecosystems (Masum et al., 2024). The government promotes tourism through policies focusing on sustainable tourism, cultural heritage, and eco-tourism in rural undeveloped regions (Medhekar & Roy, 2024). Bangladesh's eco-tourism and rural tourism sectors are rapidly growing with its biodiversity in Sundarbans mangrove forest and the hill tract areas of Bandarban, Rangamati and Khagrachari (Truong et al., 2016). Ray et al. (2021) argued that rural and eco-tourism help diversify the economy, limit economic leakages, and include disadvantaged rural communities. To him, rural tourism can improve livelihoods, preserve cultural heritage, and promote environmental sustainability in Bangladesh. Farzana, (2014) explained that infrastructure, skilled labor, marketing, and governance issues continue to hinder the growth of this industry in Bangladesh. 

Research gap

There are many studies in the area of community development through pro-poor tourism activities. Many relevant studies are reviewed to identify the research gap.  But there is no in-depth and compre-hensive study in Bangladesh that can help the planners to shape the pro-poor tourism in Bangladesh and uplift the socio-economic position of the community. The extensive literature review has identified knowledge gaps in the literature, as there is a dearth of rigorous empirical studies on community-based pro-poor tourism in the northeastern Bangladesh, especially in Moulvibazar. The study aims to fill the gap in the literature on Pro-Poor Tourism (PPT) and Community-Based Tourism (CBT) in Bangladesh, particularly in rural and marginalized areas of Moulvibazar. It aims to examine the effectiveness of PPT in rural Bangladesh, provide community-specific data on the economic and social impacts of CBT, and understand the reasons for poor community engagement in tourism development. 

Conceptual Framework

Pro-poor tourism helps develop rural areas and the communities there, thereby reducing poverty levels. It emphasizes the complexity of poverty and the needs of the area's people, linking the variables that affect an individual's or community's ability to survive (Mensah, 2011). The Sustainable Livelihoods Frame-work helps examine the rural community development and its poverty reduction. It consists of five capitals: human capital (skills, knowledge, health, education), social capital (networks, connections, and institutions), natural capital (land, water, and biodiversity), physical capital (infrastructure, equipment, and technology), financial capital (individuals' financial resources), which impacts the community through tourism (Chatterjee & Bhandari, 2023). Tourism training can enhance human capital and social capital by bringing communities together to manage tourist businesses, natural capital by protecting natural resources, and financial capital through direct revenue and community development investments (Kunjuraman, 2023; El Bilali et al., 2017).

Fig. 1: Conceptual Framework of this study.

Thus, the five types of livelihood assets: human, social, natural, physical, and financial, of the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF) guide the analysis of PPT impacts on community upliftment (Chatterjee & Bhandari, 2023). Tourism projects in Moulvibazar can enhance human, social, and financial capital through training, education, community cooperation, and infrastructure development, thereby promoting sustainable development and equitable access to resources. The following are the relevant issues:

• Vulnerability Context: Vulnerability resulting from economic marginalization, infrastructural gaps, environmental risks, external shocks, and trends has an impact on livelihoods (Mensah, 2011).
• Institutions and Policies: Examination of the impact of local government, NGOs, tourism operators, and community organizations on tourism development to identify the policy gaps and regulations that promote or hinder their success (Canaka et al., 2018).
• Livelihood Strategies: Strategies to enhance the participation in tourism activities, entrepreneur-ship development in tourism areas, capacity-building efforts, and livelihoods can either empower or marginalize local populations (Bello, 2021).
• Human Capital: Examination of the impact of PPT initiatives on human capital to check how tourism-related skills like hospitality and cultural preservation, and how these programs contribute to long-term social mobility (Wengert, 1976).
• Social Capital: Pro-poor tourism enhances social capital by encouraging community-based decision-making, strengthening social networks, and fostering collaboration (Kunjuraman, 2023; Biswas and Gofur, 2025).
• Natural Capital: Given that Moulvibazar is rich in natural assets including tea gardens, forests, and wetlands, PPT can promote eco-tourism and environmental sustainability (El Bilali et al., 2017). 
• Physical Capital: PPT can attract investments in infrastructure like roads, water supply, and communication networks, which can improve the overall quality of life for residents (Burgos & Mertens, 2017). 
• Financial Capital: Financial capital will be assessed in terms of the economic benefits including income generation, entrepreneurial opportunities, and access to credit PPT brings (Natarajan et al., 2022). 
• Inclusive Sustainable Community Development: SLF measures economic outcomes like income, employment, and business creation, and social outcomes like social inclusion, community empowerment, and gender equality, and environmental outcomes (resource conservation and sustainable tourism practices to develop communities) help to alleviate poverty (Naranjo Llupart, 2022).

The research employs a mixed-method of research utilizing both quantitative and qualitative data to evaluate the economic impacts of PPT, as well as its social, cultural, and environmental implications for community development. The research employs a cross-sectional time horizon to gather data on current conditions, providing a snapshot of the current state allowing for a comprehensive assessment of the impact of PPT on earnings, employment, community engagement, and cultural preservation (Cummings, 2018). This study follows the pragmatism research philosophy to assess the economic benefits of PPT for Community development in the Moulvibazar district (Morgan, 2014). It enables the flexible and adaptable study of the diverse impacts of pro-poor tourism on community development. This study followed both inductive and deductive approaches to investigate the impact of PPT on community development in Moulvibazar. The deductive method tests tourism and development ideas using theories like the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF) and the Theory of Participation. The inductive method, through interviews, uncovers patterns, themes, and linkages in qualitative data (McKim, 2017; Dornes, 2013). The study employs a case study on Moulvibazar, Bangladesh to investigate the impact of PPT activities on the local community, analyzing the multifaceted social, economic, and cultural implications (Verschuren, 2003).

Sampling Strategy

The sampling design is tailored to fit the mixed-methods approach of the study, combining both probability and non-probability sampling techniques to gather representative and relevant data from the community in Moulvibazar, Bangladesh (Brown & Marshall, 1995). The Sampling tactics of this study:

Data Collection Methods

The face-to-face survey was conducted on 100 respondents from diverse local households and tourism stakeholders, providing a representative sample of the local community through structured questionnaires. The stratified random sampling method ensures diverse perspectives from various tourism-related roles, including homestay operators, businesses, local guides, and craftsmen. This demographically diverse sample provides contextually relevant insights. 

Table 1: Sampling Strategy.

Given the limited resources and time constraints typical in rural-based studies, this sample size strikes a balance between breadth and depth of data collection. It enables a rigorous analysis of the community's engagement in tourism activities, addressing key research questions while maintaining practical feasibility. In-depth interviews employing semi-structured interview schedules were conducted with a total of 20 local community members, key stakeholders, and tourism operators, selected through a purposive sampling method. Five purposively chosen Key informants, including tourism operators, government officials, and NGO representatives, were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. 

This study employed distinct methods for analyzing both quantitative and qualitative data, aligning with a mixed-method approach. Descriptive statistics of the survey findings were analyzed using statistical software (e.g., SPSS, Excel) to describe the key variables, including household income, employment, and tourism-related business growth. Frequency distributions and percentages are used to analyze categorical variables, such as types of involvement in tourism and demographic factors like gender, age, and occupation. It also analyzed the growth and patterns of the impact of pro-poor tourism on household income, employment, and business growth. It identified the key factors predicting higher economic benefits for the community members (Haden, 2019). Thematic analysis was employed to identify and analyze recurring themes in qualitative data, focusing on community involvement in tourism, challenges, economic and socio-cultural impacts, perceived benefits, and drawbacks of PPT initiatives (Clarke & Braun, 2017; Perrier et al., 2003).

Fig. 2: Pro-Poor tourism is improving local infrastructure.

According to the respondents, Pro-Poor Tourism has an impact on the local infrastructure. These findings show that 72% of respondents believe PPT improves infrastructure. Tourist efforts can enhance vital services through increased investment, allocation of tourist income, and government or private sector infrastructure projects. PPT has improved local infrastructure like roads and water supplies. Due to tourism-driven growth, several in-depth interviewees noted the practical advantages of enhanced connectivity and necessary services in their towns. A guesthouse operator said, 

“Tourism brought investment, which improved the road systems and water supplies in our village. Visitors need better access to benefit all from them.

According to a local government source, tourism has clear advantages, but not all regions are emphasized. A craftsperson said, 

“Although the roads in the main tourist areas have improved, our village continues to suffer from poor drainage. Tourism has not yet reached us equally."

The findings show how inclusive tourist planning ensures that infrastructure upgrades benefit all community members, not just those in the most frequented locations.

Fig. 3: Tourism activities create employment opportunities for residents.

With 45% agreeing and 27% strongly agreeing, a total of 72% of respondents feel tourism has created local jobs. Tourist activities, including home-stays, guided tours, crafts, and service sector operations, employ locals. However, employer benefits are inconsistent, as 27% disagree or strongly disagree. Tourism in Moulvibazar is known to provide employment opportunities, although inequities persist. Many in-depth interviewees stated that tourism had transformed their lives by creating both direct and indirect jobs. The local guide said, "Before tourism, we had to rely on farming. Now, we host tourists, run a guesthouse, and can provide for our families. This change has been a life-changing factor for us." However, key informant interviews raised concerns about the inequality of employment benefits. To a local official, "While tourism has brought jobs, these opportunities are often concentrated in the hands of a few, leaving behind marginalized groups, particularly women and indigenous people." This gap highlights the need to enhance inclusive employment policies to benefit all community members in tourism-related jobs.

Fig. 4: Establishment of new businesses in the community through Pro-Poor tourism.

Pro-Poor Tourism (PPT) has helped new enterprises to grow in the area, promoting entrepreneurship and local company development, with 67% agreeing or strongly agreeing. Tourism boosts home-stays, restaurants, handicrafts, tour services, and retail business, helping people establish and sustain their businesses. However, 33% disagree or strongly disagree, indicating that not all community members are equally benefited. Many Moulvibazar residents credit Pro-Poor Tourism (PPT) with supporting entrepreneurship and share their success stories.  A home-stay operator said, "Tourism allowed us to sell our crafts to visitors. We used to rely solely on farming, but now we also make a steady income from the products we sell. Key-informant interviews highlighted fundamental barriers to involvement. A community leader said, "Not everyone has the resource to start a business. Lack of finance and training prevents many from being benefitted." To address this disparity, future initiatives could focus on capacity building and improving access to markets for locally produced goods.

Fig. 5: Tourism training programs are provided to enhance skills for tourism-related jobs.

 Locals need training programs to become self-sufficient and competent for tourism jobs, according to the report. A total of 68% agree that these measures have worked well. However, a total of 28% do not support it, demonstrating minority concerns on the accessibility and the impact of the program in terms of coverage, inclusion, and long-term effects. Tourism-related skill training programs are valued for promoting self-reliance and enhancement of employment opportunities. Many respondents emphasized the practical advantages of these measures. In a detailed interview, a local guide said, 

"The training I received helped me understand how to interact with tourists better and manage my work more professionally. It significantly increased my earnings."

However, diversity and program relevancy were questioned.  A tourist official said, 

"Not everyone has access to the training programs. Some communities are excluded, and the training offered does not always meet the specific needs of local residents."

To guarantee that all locals, especially the most disadvantaged, can learn tourism skills targeted, community-driven training programs should be extended.

Fig. 6: Community engagement in tourism reduces poverty in the area.

According to 72% of respondents, tourism reduces poverty in Moulvibazar, Home-stays, guiding, crafts, and decision-making by residents create income and empower underprivileged groups. Tourism has revolutionized economies and generated sustainable income; however, 28% disagree or strongly disagree, owing to community engagement gaps or challenges, including limited tourist opportunities, unequal benefits, or structural limits. However, participation in tourism activities in Moulvibazar is a widely acknowledged phenomenon as it acts as a driver of poverty reduction. Many of the respondents emphasized the importance of tourist engagement for sustaining the livelihoods of the community. In an in-depth interview, a home-stay operator said, 

“Running a homestay has not only given us a steady income 

but also empowered us to feel part of the tourism industry. It lets us profit from visitors.” 

However, broad involvement was difficult. A local NGO source said, 

“Not everyone in the community has the opportunity to engage in tourism. Some rural communities are unable to participate due to a lack of training and resources.”

Fig. 7: Tourism activities align with the community's sustainability by long-term poverty eradication.

Tourism in Moulvibazar aids sustainability and long-term poverty alleviation, according to the research. 75% of respondents believe that tourism and sustainable development objectives overlap. Stable income, skill development, and environmentally and socially acceptable activities demonstrate tourism's growth potential. Eco-tourism, community-based tourism, and pro-poor tourism encourage local communities in the tourism value chain, possibly help reduce poverty. However, 25% of the respondents noted that unequal tourist benefits, environmental harm, and lack of inclusive planning can hamper its capacity to alleviate poverty fairly. Tourism in Moulvibazar is considered essential to poverty reduction and sustainability. Tourism activities support sustainable development by providing consistent income and community participation, according to several respondents. In a detailed interview, a local guide said, 

"Tourists are drawn to Moulvibazar because of its natural beauty, and we are learning how to protect our environment through eco-tourism practices. We have to conserve what brings visitors here."

But, fair and inclusive sustainability presented obstacles. To a neighborhood leader, 

"While eco-tourism is growing, significant environmental damage still occurs from unregulated tourism activities. We lack proper waste management and environmental safeguards."

These issues highlight the need for stricter environmental rules and regulations to guarantee that tourism conserves the region's natural resources.

Pro-Poor Tourism (PPT) in Moulvibazar has improved infrastructure, enhance income and created access to essential services, boosting community development. The survey findings indicated that 72% of respondents believe PPT has improved roads and water systems, validating Morgan's, (2014) contention that PPT encourages infrastructure improvements in the host regions. Economic growth comes from connectivity in tourism, markets, healthcare, and education. Unequal resource distribution means remote or low-tourism areas get less attention. However, one of the challenges of equitable development is that tourism-driven infrastructure often benefits tourist-friendly localities and leaves impoverished places behind (Chatterjee & Bhandari, 2023).  Tourism-driven PPT has improved healthcare and education in Moulvi-bazar, according to 67% respondents. Gonzo, (2023) stated that tourism revenues have improved clinics and schools, thereby enhancing community health and education. Many impoverished remote areas lack access to these programs, and limited budget distribution precludes particular residents from receiving PPT benefits. Ashley et al. (2007) claimed that tourism-generated resources exacerbate inequality and marginalize certain groups. Participatory planning in PPT is crucial for ensuring equitable resource distribution and meaningful participation. 

Tourism helps Moulvibazar reduce poverty and maintain the livelihood of the locals. According to this research, 75% of the respondents believe that tourism serves community sustainability meet their goals, validating the growing literature encouraging ecotourism and CBT for environmental and economic sustainability (Farzana, 2014). These initiatives help preserve natural resources and generate income for the community, which help to connect tourism with sustainability. Moulvibazar's PPT and ecotourism initiatives raise environmental awareness and establish a social obligation to conserve natural assets. However, maintaining sustainability goals is difficult to some extent. 25% of respondents fear environmental destruction and unchecked resource extraction, which threaten conservation. Tourism sustainability often lacks inclusive planning and equitable resource management (Bello, 2021). To boost pro-poor tourism, the municipality or the local authority must strengthen environmental regulations, improve rubbish management, and encourage community conservation. 

Thus, community tourism engagement has been found to reduce poverty, according to 72% of respondents. Community-driven tourism actively incorporates residents in tourist value chains, fostering equitable economic development, according to Chatterjee and Bhandari, (2023). Home-stays, guides, crafts, and cultural performances help impoverished communities to support the local economy. Insufficient training, resources, and physical separation from tourist hubs hinder pro-poor tourism-driven poverty reduction and inclusion, according to the research. Communities learn tourist skills and reduce poverty via training and capacity development. 72% said these initiatives encouraged self-reliance and employment. Naranjo Llupart, (2022) found that some community people were excluded from training programs, and the specific projects did not address the local requirements. Outreach, personalized training, and local partnerships can increase capacity-building (Kunjuraman, 2023) Tourism sustainability and poverty reduction require inclusion and equitable benefit sharing. According to Meyer, (2013) community voices must be valued in tourism planning for inclusive development and participation in tourism related decision-making which will ensure that projects align with local needs and aspirations. 

The study explores the impact of Pro-Poor Tourism (PPT) and Community upliftment through this tourism in Moulvibazar of Bangladesh, transformation of their economic condition, and thus poverty reduction. The findings reveal that tourism enhances infrastructure, access to basic services, economic opportunities, and local cultural preservation. PPT is also crucial for strengthening the healthcare access. PPT has improved the living conditions, access to long-term development of resources, and access to infrastructure. However, there are ongoing gaps in benefit distribution, participation, inclusiveness, and sustainability management, which require targeted governmental interventions and community involvement. The study also highlights the challenges of achieving equitable development across different social classes and geographical locations. The study also highlights the importance of eco-tourism and community-based techniques in Moulvibazar, which integrate environmental protection with economic growth. These strategies have improved environmental awareness and fostered a commitment to preserving natural resources. However, concerns exist regarding the sustainability and fairness of these strategies due to environmental deterioration, uncontrolled tourism development, and unequal benefit distribution. The study suggests addressing challenges in Pro-Poor Tourism and Community-Based Tourism in Moulvi-bazar, Bangladesh by implementing an inclusive policy framework. It emphasizes the distribution of resources, local ownership, community participation, and financial support for marginalized groups. The study also recommends expanding capacity-building initiatives and partnering with NGOs, government bodies, and tourism operators. The government should prioritize sustainable infrastructure development, envi-ronmental sustainability, and equitable distribution to reduce the poverty level in Moulvibazar, Bangladesh and thus build a resilient tourism economy there.

The author expresses profound gratitude to Almighty Allah for His guidance and blessings. Special thanks are extended to the author's family for their support, to the respondents for their participation, and to the anonymous reviewers for their insightful comments and constructive feedback, which greatly enhanced the manuscript.

The author declares no conflicts of interest regarding this research or manuscript submission.