PARTISIPASI MASYARAKAT DAN KEBERLANJUTAN PARIWISATA DI PANTAI TANJUNG SETIA, KABUPATEN PESISIR BARAT

Abstract

ABSTRACT

This study examines community participation in the management of Tanjung Setia Beach, Pesisir Barat Regency, Lampung, focusing on the collaboration between local communities, regional government, and tourism actors in realizing sustainable tourism. Unlike previous studies, which tend to be normative and focus on well-developed destinations, this research offers novelty by analyzing in depth the patterns of concrete participation and the dynamics of multi-stakeholder collaboration in a developing coastal destination. A qualitative research method was employed, with data collected through purposive selection of 12 key informants to gain in-depth insights from multiple perspectives, including local communities, tourism actors, and government representatives, sufficient to reveal the dynamics of participation and destination management comprehensively without compromising qualitative analysis. Informants included regional government officials, village tourism managers, Pokdarwis (Tourism Awareness Group) leaders, tour guides, and business actors, complemented by focused group discussions (FGDs) with key stakeholders. The findings indicate that community participation occurs in two main forms: economic, through the management of homestays, culinary/SME businesses, transportation services, guiding, and surfboard rentals; and social, through communal work, beach cleaning, event support, and visitor security. Participation is most dominant at the implementation stage, while involvement in planning, monitoring, and evaluation remains limited and informal. Economic benefits are evident but unevenly distributed, as shown by the growth in homestays, local food stalls, and guiding services, with increased income mainly experienced by residents with existing capital and business networks. The roles of government and business actors are crucial in providing training, infrastructure, and coordination across stakeholders. Practically, tourism managers need to strengthen participatory forums that involve the community in decision-making, enhance local residents’ skills and capacities, and ensure a more equitable distribution of economic opportunities. In addition, a monitoring system based on sustainability indicators is necessary to ensure that tourism growth remains aligned with environmental preservation and community well-being.

Keywords: community participation, sustainable tourism, coastal management, local empowerment