Political Bureaucracy and Community Empowerment
A Study of Community Support for Sustainable Rural Tourism in Lombok
Keywords:
Rural Tourism, Community Empowerment, Political Bureaucracy, Local Governance, Sustainable DevelopmentAbstract
Purpose – This study aims to explore how political bureaucracy influences community support for sustainable rural tourism development in Lombok, Indonesia. Although rural tourism is often promoted as a tool for local empowerment and environmental preservation, its long-term success depends on how local communities perceive its benefits and how political structures facilitate or obstruct their engagement.
Design/methods/approach – A qualitative approach was employed using semi-structured interviews with key informants, including village leaders, community members, and local government officials. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify recurring patterns and themes related to perceived tourism benefits and bureaucratic involvement.
Findings – The study reveals that environmental benefits are more recognized and valued by local communities compared to economic and social gains, which are perceived as unevenly distributed and influenced by bureaucratic inefficiencies. Participants expressed skepticism towards local government initiatives due to limited transparency and top-down policy implementation. While political bureaucracy was found to have structural influence, its role in encouraging active community support remained weak.
Research implications/limitations – The findings are context-specific and may not be generalizable beyond the Lombok region. The study's reliance on interview data may also be influenced by respondents' personal biases and experiences. Nevertheless, it offers valuable insight into the interplay between perception, support, and governance in tourism development.
Originality/value – This research contributes to the limited literature on the role of political bureaucracy in rural tourism by presenting a grounded community perspective. It highlights the importance of inclusive governance and the need for more participatory and transparent bureaucratic practices to foster sustainable tourism initiatives.
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