Rethinking Rural Tourism through Local Wisdom and Collective Agency: A Community-Based Approach to Sustainable Development
Keywords:
Collective Agency, Community-Based Tourism, Local Institutions, Local Wisdom, Participatory GovernanceAbstract
This study critically reconceptualizes rural tourism development by integrating local wisdom and collective agency within a community-based framework for sustainable development. It addresses the persistent shortcomings of top-down, project-oriented tourism models that marginalize local communities and weaken long-term sustainability. A qualitative approach was employed using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) design combined with a case study strategy, positioning community members as co-producers of knowledge. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and focus group discussions, and analyzed using an inductive thematic approach with triangulation and member checking to ensure validity. The findings indicate that the integration of local wisdom into tourism practices, supported by strong collective agency, significantly enhances participation, strengthens local institutions, and promotes sustainability across economic, social, and cultural dimensions. Communities that actively engage in decision-making and embed cultural values in governance exhibit higher resilience and ownership. The study develops an integrative conceptual model linking local wisdom as a normative foundation, collective agency as a transformative force, and community institutions as operational mechanisms. This model advances community-based tourism by emphasizing community-driven transformation.
References
Agustina, M. D. P., Budhi, M. K. S., Utama, M. S., & Yasa, I. G. W. M. (2019). The influence of government role, community participation and social capital on the quality of destination and community welfare in the tourism village of Badung Regency Province of Bali. Russian Journal of Agricultural and Socio-Economic Sciences, 92(8), 235–251. https://doi.org/10.18551/rjoas.2019-08.26
Ahmad, F. A., & Balisany, W. M. khalid. (2024). Sustainable Tourism Management and Ecotourism as a Tool to Evaluate Tourism’s Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals and Local Community. OTS Canadian Journal, 2(4), 44–56. https://doi.org/10.58840/838qdx22
Apriyanti, M. E., Sumaryoto, & Meirinaldi. (2024). The Importance of Tourism Infrastructure in Increasing Domestic and International Tourism. International Journal of Research in Vocational Studies (IJRVOCAS), 3(4), 113–122. https://doi.org/10.53893/ijrvocas.v3i4.46
Basyar, M. R., Mardiyanta, A., & Setijaningrum, E. (2025). Multi-Stakeholder Analysis in Building Tourism Resilience: Collaborative Governance Implementation in the Majapahit House Heritage Area, Indonesia. Tourism and Hospitality, 6(1), 5–15. https://doi.org/10.3390/tourhosp6010005
Berto, A. R. (2018). The Capitalization of Backpacking Tourism Culture in Indonesian Films. Jurnal Komunikasi Ikatan Sarjana Komunikasi Indonesia, 3(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.25008/jkiski.v3i1.143
Chan, J. K. L. (2023). Sustainable Rural Tourism Practices From the Local Tourism Stakeholders’ Perspectives. Global Business Finance Review, 28(3), 136–149. https://doi.org/10.17549/gbfr.2023.28.3.136
Chan, J. K. L., Marzuki, K. M., & Mohtar, T. M. (2021). Local Community Participation and Responsible Tourism Practices in Ecotourism Destination: A Case of Lower Kinabatangan, Sabah. Sustainability, 13(23), 13–30. https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313302
Chien, P. M., Ritchie, B. W., Maruyama, N., Oguchi, T., & Kock, F. (2024). Understanding intergroup conflict between residents and tourists: a social identity perspective. In Research Handbook on Tourism, Complexity and Uncertainty (pp. 8–26). Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781802203486.00010
Diece, C. A., Kristianto, Y., & Yanthy, P. S. (2024). Management Strategy for the Erau Festival as a Cultural Tourism Attraction in the Kutai Kartanegara Ing Martadipura Sultanate, East Kalimantan. Asian Journal of Management, Entrepreneurship and Social Science, 4(03), 1596–1621. https://doi.org/10.63922/ajmesc.v4i03.1038
Dodds, R., Ali, A., & Galaski, K. (2018). Mobilizing knowledge: determining key elements for success and pitfalls in developing community-based tourism. Current Issues in Tourism, 21(13), 1547–1568. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2016.1150257
Elgammal, I. (2022). What if the local community is already well-off enough? Stakeholders’ conflicts over sustainable tourism development in remote communities. Journal of Place Management and Development, 15(4), 493–510. https://doi.org/10.1108/JPMD-02-2021-0020
Everett, S., & Parakoottathil, D. J. (2018). Transformation, meaning-making and identity creation through folklore tourism: the case of the Robin Hood Festival. Journal of Heritage Tourism, 13(1), 30–45. https://doi.org/10.1080/1743873X.2016.1251443
Fafurida, F., Solihah, D. M., & Marpaung, G. N. (2025). Tourism-Induced Environmental Degradation ASEAN Countries: Causes and Consequences. International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, 15(3), 629–634. https://doi.org/10.32479/ijeep.19143
Gardiner, S., Vada, S., Yang, E. C. L., Khoo, C., & Le, T. H. (2022). Recreating history: The evolving negotiation of staged authenticity in tourism experiences. Tourism Management, 91(5), 104515. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2022.104515
Ghaisani, C. O., & Afifi, S. (2022). The implementation of digital marketing communication strategy in cultural tourism: a case study in Yogyakarta. The Indonesian Journal of Communication Studies, 15(1), 66. https://doi.org/10.31315/ijcs.v15i1.6095
Harfst, J., Sandriester, J., Mildeberg, S., Dołzbłasz, S., & Grochowska, A. (2025). Policies on industrial heritage tourism as a tool for sustainable regional development? a Central and Eastern European analysis. Tourism Recreation Research, 18(2), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/02508281.2025.2464499
Hermawan, D. (2024). Bandung as a Creative City in Indonesia: The Role of Community in Developing a Creative Tourism Urban Village Initiative. International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Studies, 4(1), 59–72. https://doi.org/10.31098/ijeass.v4i1.2177
Herstanti, G. (2024). Analyzing the Impact of Publicity and e-WOM on Indonesian Tourists’ Visit Intention to Seoul through Destination Awareness and Preference: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach. Journal of Applied Data Sciences, 5(4), 2143–2158. https://doi.org/10.47738/jads.v5i4.531
Hidayati, A. F., & Siregar, Y. A. (2024). Commodification of Local Culture in The Development of Wayang Villages Tourism. Bai, 1(2), 176–191. https://doi.org/10.30598/baileofisipvol1iss2pp176-191
Hu, Y., & Ngai, P. (2021). Organizational Communications in Developing Ethnic Tourism: Participatory Approaches in Southwest China. Tourism Culture & Communication, 21(2), 123–142. https://doi.org/10.3727/109830421X16191799472006
Isabel, P., Benito, Z., Maria E., M.-C., & Gutiérrez, A. (2025). The role of service and transport infrastructures in shaping tourist visitation patterns in the Ebro Delta. Applied Mobilities, 15(3), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1080/23800127.2025.2469196
Janjua, Z. ul A., Krishnapillai, G., & Rahman, M. (2021). A Systematic Literature Review of Rural Homestays and Sustainability in Tourism. Sage Open, 11(2), 12–22. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440211007117
Kartika, T., & Fajri, K. (2019). Rasi (Cassava Rice) as an Authentic Product of Cireundeu in Supporting Gastronomic Tourism. Proceedings of the 1st NHI Tourism Forum, 67–71. https://doi.org/10.5220/0009430600670071
Kubickova, M., & and Campbell, J. M. (2020). The role of government in agro-tourism development: a top-down bottom-up approach. Current Issues in Tourism, 23(5), 587–604. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2018.1551338
Lee, T. H., & Jan, F.-H. (2019). Can community-based tourism contribute to sustainable development? Evidence from residents’ perceptions of the sustainability. Tourism Management, 70(5), 368–380. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2018.09.003
Lukman, J. P., Yudartha, I. P. D., Ktaviani, K. C., Dewi, N. P. D. S., Widiyanti, S., & Adristari, T. P. (2025). The Development of Cultural Ecotourism-Based Tourism: The Role of Village Governments in Managing Sustainable Tourism in Badung Regency. Baileo: Jurnal Sosial Humaniora, 2(2), 242–255. https://doi.org/10.30598/baileofisipvol2iss2pp242-255
Mantra, I. B. N., Suparsa, I. N., & Handayani, N. D. (2023). Cultural and Wellness Tourism: The Potential of Yoga, Meditation and Self-Purification Ceremony. Soshum: Jurnal Sosial Dan Humaniora, 13(2), 109–119. https://doi.org/10.31940/soshum.v13i2.109-119
Moayerian, N., McGehee, N. G., & Stephenson, M. O. (2022). Community cultural development: Exploring the connections between collective art making, capacity building and sustainable community-based tourism. Annals of Tourism Research, 93, 103355. https:/doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2022.103355
Moscardo, G. (2023). Tourism governance for rural community well-being: challenges and creative opportunities. In Handbook on Tourism and Rural Community Development (pp. 286–300). Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781800370067.00030
Nenotek, S. A., Paramarta, I. M. S., Sjioen, A. E., Beeh, N., Cornelis, A. R., & Benu, N. N. (2025). The linguistic landscape for sustainable and inclusive tourism: insight from Timor Tengah Selatan, Indonesia. Cogent Arts & Humanities, 12(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311983.2024.2441579
Nurhadi, I., Sumarti, T., Hadi Dharmawan, A., & S Damanhuri, D. (2022). Cultural Commodification and Ethical Transition of Tourism Development: A Case in Osing Community, Indonesia. Sodality: Jurnal Sosiologi Pedesaan, 10(1), 24–43. https://doi.org/10.22500/10202238564
Pardosi, J., Putra, I. M., & Pretty, B. (2024). Exploration and Existence of Local Wisdom as An Effort to Build Sustainable Tourism in Samosir Regency. Komunitas: International Journal of Indonesian Society and Culture, 16(1), 92–110. https://doi.org/10.15294/komunitas.v16i1.4000
Pasanchay, K., & Schott, C. (2021). Community-based tourism homestays’ capacity to advance the Sustainable Development Goals: A holistic sustainable livelihood perspective. Tourism Management Perspectives, 37(5), 100784. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2020.100784
Pattaray, A. (2024). Leveraging Local Wisdom as Social Capital for Sustainable Tourism: A Case Study of the Ponan Tradition in Poto Village, Sumbawa, Indonesia. TourismSpectrum: Diversity & Dynamics, 1(2), 104–114. https://doi.org/10.56578/tsdd010204
Perbawasari, S., Sjuchro, D. W., Setianti, Y., Nugraha, A. R., & Hafiar, H. (2019). Government Marketing Public Relations Strategy in Preparing Halal Tourism in Priangan Region. MIMBAR : Jurnal Sosial Dan Pembangunan, 35(1), 89–103. https://doi.org/10.29313/mimbar.v35i1.4134
Prasiasa, D. P. O., Widari, D. A. D. S., & Susanti, P. H. (2023). Authenticity and Commodification of Creative Industry Products in The Tourism Sector, Bali. Mudra Jurnal Seni Budaya, 38(3), 85–100. https://doi.org/10.31091/mudra.v38i3.2285
Prianta, P. A., & Sulistyawati, A. (2024). Development Of The Ogoh-Ogoh Parade From A Religious Ritual To A Tourist Attraction In Bali. Journey : Journal of Tourismpreneurship, Culinary, Hospitality, Convention and Event Management, 7(1), 77–96. https://doi.org/10.46837/journey.v7i1.194
Priatmoko, S., Kabil, M., Purwoko, Y., & Dávid, L. D. (2021). Rethinking Sustainable Community-Based Tourism: A Villager’s Point of View and Case Study in Pampang Village, Indonesia. Sustainability, 13(6), 3245. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13063245
Rahman, M. S. U., David, S., Michael C., S., & and Ratna, N. N. (2022). Social and cultural capitals in tourism resource governance: the essential lenses for community focussed co-management. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 30(11), 2665–2685. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2021.1903016
Rahman, S. S., & Baddam, P. R. (2021). Community Engagement in Southeast Asia’s Tourism Industry: Empowering Local Economies. Global Disclosure of Economics and Business, 10(2), 75–90. https://doi.org/10.18034/gdeb.v10i2.715
Ranasinghe, R., & and Cheng, L. (2018). Tourism-induced mobilities and transformation of indigenous cultures: where is the Vedda community in Sri Lanka heading to?*. Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change, 16(5), 521–538. https://doi.org/10.1080/14766825.2017.1393081
Rembulan, C. L., Helmi, A. F., & Riyono, B. (2020). The fluid power: constructing the concept of power in community-based tourism in Indonesia. Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy, 14(4), 515–537. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEC-03-2020-0041
Rocca, L. H. D., & Zielinski, S. (2022). Community-based tourism, social capital, and governance of post-conflict rural tourism destinations: the case of Minca, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia. Tourism Management Perspectives, 43(12), 100985. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2022.100985
Scherer, E., & and Thelen, T. (2020). On countryside roads to national identity: Japanese morning drama series (asadora) and contents tourism. Japan Forum, 32(1), 6–29. https://doi.org/10.1080/09555803.2017.1411378
Sharma, A., Saulais, L., & Huang, Y. (2024). Sustainable consumer choices – critical reflection on hospitality and tourism. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 36(6), 1784–1797. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-08-2022-0998
Singgalen, Y. A., & Simange, S. M. (2018). Livelihood and Rural Tourism Development in Coastal Area North Maluku Province Indonesia. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 156(6), 012010. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/156/1/012010
Sonuç, N. (2023). Culture, Tourism, and Sustainability (Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Tourism, Social Sustainability of Tourism, Socio-cultural Sustainability of Tourism). In S. O. Idowu, R. Schmidpeter, N. Capaldi, L. Zu, M. Del Baldo, & R. Abreu (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Sustainable Management (pp. 1083–1089). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-25984-5_457
Ulfa, K., Zaenuri, M., Rahmawati, D. E., Rassanjani, S., Mukhrijal, M., & Imanullah, A. (2021). Branding Strategy “The Light Of Aceh” Through E-Tourism On Sustainable Tourism Development in Aceh Province. Journal of Governance and Public Policy, 8(3), 110. https://doi.org/10.18196/jgpp.v8i3.11034
Wilson, A. (2018). International tourism and (linguistic) accommodation: Convergence towards and through English in tourist information interactions. Anglophonia, 25(25), 987–1000. https://doi.org/10.4000/anglophonia.1377
Ye, J., Qin, Y., & Wu, H. (2024). Cultural heritage and sustainable tourism: unveiling the positive correlations and economic impacts. Current Psychology, 43(47), 36393–36415. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-024-07070-6
Yoshida, M., & Kato, H. (2023). Housing Affordability Risk and Tourism Gentrification in Kyoto City. Sustainability, 16(1), 309. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16010309
Yusra, K., Lestari, Y. B., & Hamid, M. O. (2022). Teacher agency and the implementation of CEFR-like policies for English for tourism and hospitality: insights from local vocational high schools in Indonesia. Current Issues in Language Planning, 23(3), 233–253. https://doi.org/10.1080/14664208.2021.1965739
Zhu, Y. (2023). Memory, homecoming and the politics of diaspora tourism in China. Tourism Geographies, 25(1), 95–112. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616688.2020.1844286
Zielinski, S., Kim, S., Botero, C., & Yanes, A. (2020). Factors that facilitate and inhibit community-based tourism initiatives in developing countries. Current Issues in Tourism, 23(6), 723–739. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2018.1543254
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Ivonny Yeany Rahanra, Iriane Sosiawaty Ponto, Julia Theresia Patty, Jeanly Waisapy
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
