Commission VII: Local Community Involvement Realises Sustainable Tourism

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Chairperson of Commission VII of the House of Representatives Chusnunia has stated that realising sustainable tourism that prioritises destination management balancing economic, social and environmental impacts for the long term requires the involvement of local residents.

“By involving local residents, tourism development moves towards the sustainable tourism concept that balances economic, social, cultural and environmental aspects sustainably,” Chusnunia said in a statement in Jakarta on Sunday.

According to her, the participation of local residents around tourism destinations plays a vital role in driving economic growth, creating employment opportunities, and strengthening SMEs and the creative economy, whilst preserving the nation’s cultural heritage.

She cited numerous global tourism destinations that actively involve local residents, including in Indonesia such as Penglipuran Village in Bali, Hakuba in Japan and Trang An in Vietnam.

“This concept empowers communities through the management of village tourism or ecotourism, where local residents play a direct role as service providers, guides and custodians of culture,” she said.

“Herein lies the importance of empowering local communities, where they are not merely tourism objects, but subjects of change,” she added.

She stated that through distinctiveness, community participation and the sustainable tourism concept, destinations can respond to the shift in tourist behaviour which now prioritises sustainable quality tourism.

Chusnunia emphasised the importance of synergy between central government, regional government, tourism operators, communities and all stakeholders in realising sustainable tourism.

“Synergy among all parties is key in driving the development of local and heritage tourism destinations that are quality and globally competitive,” she said.