Delfta Tunjung Baswarani, Untung Novianto

Community Participation in Sustainable Cultural Heritage Tourism in The Braga Tourism Village

Introduction

Community participation in sustainable cultural heritage tourism in the braga tourism village. Explore community participation in sustainable cultural heritage tourism in Braga. Locals drive preservation & development; effective government-community collaboration is key for success.

Abstract

This study aims to examine community participation in the development of sustainable cultural heritage tourism in Braga Tourism Village, Bandung City. Initiated by the Bandung City Office of Culture and Tourism (DISBUDPAR) through a top-down approach as part of a tourism village activation program, the implementation of this initiative has raised concerns regarding the limited involvement of local residents. A descriptive qualitative approach was employed, with data collected through document analysis, field observations, and in-depth interviews with key stakeholders including street vendors, tourism awareness groups, village officials, and representatives of the local tourism office. Data were analyzed using Miles and Huberman’s interactive model through data reduction, display, and conclusion drawing. The findings reveal that while the initial planning was government-driven, local communities have gradually taken the lead in sustaining tourism activities by initiating creative and community-based programs. Public facilities and government-provided training have supported tourism development, yet the optimization of these resources remains limited due to insufficient community capacity. Moreover, the preservation of cultural heritage particularly Braga’s historic buildings and urban identity has been maintained through a combination of formal regulations and civic engagement. The study concludes that the success of sustainable tourism in urban heritage settings such as Braga depends on effective collaboration between government and communities, with local residents playing a central role in preserving cultural values while deriving socio-economic benefits.

Review

This study critically examines community participation in the development of sustainable cultural heritage tourism within the unique urban setting of Braga Tourism Village, Bandung City. Addressing a pertinent issue in heritage management, the research investigates the dynamics of a government-initiated tourism activation program, particularly focusing on concerns regarding initial limited local resident involvement. Employing a descriptive qualitative approach, the authors utilized a robust methodology involving document analysis, field observations, and in-depth interviews with a range of key stakeholders, ensuring a comprehensive data collection process analyzed through Miles and Huberman’s interactive model. The findings present a nuanced picture of community engagement, illustrating a significant transition from an initial top-down governmental push to a more organic, community-led sustained effort in tourism activities. The study highlights the commendable initiative of local communities in developing creative and community-based programs, effectively taking ownership of the tourism trajectory. Furthermore, it underscores the vital role of formal regulations and civic engagement in preserving Braga's distinct cultural heritage, particularly its historic buildings and urban identity. However, the research also candidly identifies crucial limitations, noting that despite the provision of public facilities and training, the optimization of these resources is hampered by insufficient community capacity, offering a key insight into practical implementation challenges. Overall, this study makes a valuable contribution to the literature on sustainable urban heritage tourism and community participation. Its central conclusion, emphasizing the indispensable need for effective collaboration between government and local communities—with residents playing a pivotal role in cultural preservation and deriving socio-economic benefits—is well-supported by the presented evidence. The research offers practical implications for policymakers and tourism developers aiming to foster genuine and sustainable tourism development in similar heritage settings, particularly by acknowledging the complexities of capacity building and the evolutionary nature of community involvement. It serves as an important case study showcasing both the promise and the challenges of empowering local populations in heritage management.

Full Text

Comments

You need to be logged in to post a comment.