Purpose This paper aims to examine the local community tourism as a solution to address overtourism and tourismophobia in unpopular and vulnerable tourist areas (rural places, wetlands, protected areas, historic sites and isolated places). Design/methodology/approach Interviews were conducted with presidents and active members of associations that have committed to develop community-based ecotourism (CBET) in Algeria (in the desert, mountains and central rural highlands). Findings The results show that the interviewees have definitely adopted a participatory approach and included locals in their CBET and ecotourism projects. Unfortunately, it seems that Algerian tourists and tourism stakeholders have low ecological awareness. Therefore, a comprehensive approach should be put in place for the benefit of local residents to minimise tourismophobia and anti-tourism movement in these vulnerable areas. Originality/value Theoretically, this paper aims to fill the gap in the literature on overtourism in rural areas and vulnerable places. At the management level, contributions should help tourism stakeholders to understand the need to adopt regulations and standards to facilitate and secure alternative tourism forms such as CBET to prevent overtourism and tourismophobia risks.