A community perspective on local ecotourism development: lessons from Komodo National Park

Ecotourism, often hailed as a sustainable development strategy, has fallen short of its promises for local communities and natural resource conservation in Komodo National Park (KNP), a prominent UNESCO World Heritage Site. A critical analysis reveals that despite KNP's transition to an ecotourist-driven economy, it has failed to meet sustainable development goals effectively. The study highlights the complex, multi-layered nature of local communities and their integration into regional economies, advocating for broader tourism policies that engage multiple stakeholders beyond immediate protected areas. Using qualitative research methods, including participant observation, this paper challenges the narrative around ecotourism's benefits, contributing valuable insights to the ongoing debate on its effectiveness as a sustainable development tool.

Lasso, A. H., & Dahles, H. (2021). A community perspective on local ecotourism development: lessons from Komodo National Park. Tourism Geographies, 25(2-3), 634–654. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616688.2021.1953123