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Tourism is believed to be able to empower people economically, both at the individual and community levels, by providing various employment and business opportunities to community members to help alleviate poverty. This study offers insights into community empowerment outcome, particularly in economic dimension, through a quantitative approach. This study aims to identify the level of community empowerment outcome perceived by the local communities in tourism development in their area and analyze the factors that influence the outcome. Employing a mixed-methods approach, this study collected data through household survey, field and participatory observation, and document analysis. The questionnaire responses were analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis (i.e., frequency distribution and cross tabulation) and chi-square analysis. The findings suggest that tourism was able to increase the income of the people working in the tourism sector. However, only several people perceived that tourism could provide benefits for them. Several factors influencing the community perception related to economic empowerment in tourism development were identified. These include involvement in the tourism industry, community culture (kinship), nature of tourism affecting the type of available job, lack of engagement, lack of capital, education, and geographical factors.

On November 14, 2016 an earthquake struck the rural districts of Kaikōura and Hurunui on New Zealand's South Island. The region—characterized by small dispersed communities, a local economy based on tourism and agriculture, and limited transportation connections—was severely impacted. Following the quake, road and rail networks essential to maintaining steady flows of goods, visitors, and services were extensively damaged, leaving agrifood producers with significant logistical challenges, resulting in reduced productivity and problematic market access. Regional tourism destinations also suffered with changes to the number, characteristics, and travel patterns of visitors. As the region recovers, there is renewed interest in the development and promotion of agrifood tourism and trails as a pathway for enhancing rural resilience, and a growing awareness of the importance of local networks. Drawing on empirical evidence and insights from a range of affected stakeholders, including food producers, tourism operators, and local government, we explore the significance of emerging agrifood tourism initiatives for fostering diversity, enhancing connectivity, and building resilience in the context of rural recovery. We highlight the motivation to diversify distribution channels for agrifood producers, and strengthen the region's tourism place identity. Enhancing product offerings and establishing better links between different destinations within the region are seen as essential. While such trends are common in rural regions globally, we suggest that stakeholders' shared experience with the earthquake and its aftermath has opened up new opportunities for regeneration and reimagination, and has influenced current agrifood tourism trajectories. In particular, additional funding for tourism recovery marketing and product development after the earthquake, and an emphasis on greater connectivity between the residents and communities through strengthening rural networks and building social capital within and between regions, is enabling more resilient and sustainable futures.