Exploring the Potential and Barriers of Tourism Villages

A Community Empowerment Perspective from West Bandung

Abstract

Purpose – This study aims to explore how the concept of community-based tourism (CBT) is implemented in selected tourism villages in West Bandung Regency, with a focus on identifying local potentials and barriers in the context of community empowerment.

Design/methods/approach – The research adopts a qualitative case study approach. Data were collected through field observation, in-depth interviews with key stakeholders, literature review, and documentation analysis. Four tourism villages were selected as case studies: Cibodas, Sunten Jaya, Cihanjuang Rahayu, and Rende.

Findings – The study found varying levels of community participation and institutional support across the villages. Cibodas Village has successfully implemented CBT and serves as a model for others. Sunten Jaya Village has latent potential but lacks active community involvement. Cihanjuang Rahayu Village shows promising opportunities with ongoing needs for infrastructure and support. Rende Village faces challenges in tourism management and community engagement, highlighting the need for consistent assistance.

Research implications/limitations – This study is limited to four villages within one regency, which may not reflect the broader dynamics of community-based tourism across different regions. Future research could incorporate comparative analysis across districts or provinces.

Originality/value – This paper contributes to the discourse on community empowerment through tourism by offering grounded insights from under-researched rural areas. It emphasizes the importance of participatory governance, sustained facilitation, and infrastructure development in advancing community-based tourism in Indonesia.