A New Approach to Community Empowerment-Based Tourism Village Development in Indonesia

Abstract

The development of tourism villages in Indonesia is a potential strategy to encourage local economic growth and cultural preservation. However, these efforts still face challenges in terms of community empowerment and optimal utilization of local potential. This study aims to identify effective strategies for developing tourism villages based on community empowerment by conducting a systematic review of 15 scientific articles published between 2019 and 2024. The method used is the systematic literature review (SLR) with a thematic qualitative analysis approach. The main findings show that the success of tourism village development is greatly influenced by three key factors: (1) active community participation in planning, management, and evaluation, which strengthens a sense of ownership and social legitimacy; (2) government support through policies, infrastructure, and funding that strengthen local institutional structures; and (3) the use of digital technology such as the smart village concept and online platforms that increase the efficiency and competitiveness of local MSMEs. This study offers a conceptual model of three-pillar synergy as a new approach that can be replicated with contextual adaptation in various regions. Strategic recommendations include community training, inclusive policies, strengthening cross-sector collaboration, and long-term evaluation to ensure social, economic, and ecological sustainability. This research provides theoretical and practical contributions for stakeholders in developing tourism villages in a sustainable and equitable manner.