Sustainable Tourism Development Based on Community Empowerment Through Local Culture

Sekolah Tinggi Pariwisata Ambarukmo, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

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Abstract

This study aims to analyze and develop a model of sustainable tourism development based on community empowerment through the preservation and utilization of local culture. The background of this research lies in the growing need for tourism that not only emphasizes economic aspects, but also pays attention to social and environmental dimensions. A descriptive qualitative approach was employed to gather data from the local communities, tourism managers, and local governments. The data collection techniques included in-depth interviews, participatory observations, and document studies. These findings indicate that community empowerment plays a pivotal role in the realization of sustainable tourism. Through the active involvement of communities in cultural activities, such as traditional performing arts, handicrafts, and local culinary experiences, economic value is generated while simultaneously strengthening cultural identity. Furthermore, local communities have shown increased capacity for tourism management, including skills in planning, promotion, and service delivery. The challenges encountered include limited access to training and business capital, as well as weak stakeholder coordination. Therefore, collaborative policies and ongoing mentoring programs are required to optimize community empowerment. This study recommends the integration of local culture into tourism packages, enhancement of local human resource capacity, and development of community-based institutions. Consequently, tourism development can function not only as an economic instrument but also as a means for cultural preservation and the strengthening of social cohesion within local communities.