Strengthening Strategy Economy Local through Tourist Based Community in the New Normal Era

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the tourism sector, especially in small-scale destinations like community-based tourism villages. In the new normal era, community-based tourism (CBT) has become an alternative strategy to revitalize the tourism sector while strengthening local economies. This research aims to analyze the role and strengthening strategies of local economies through CBT development in five active Indonesian tourism villages during the post-pandemic recovery period. The research method used is a mixed methods approach, combining qualitative data from observation and in-depth interviews, as well as quantitative data through questionnaire distribution to local tourism actors. Research results show that community institutional strengthening, local economic diversification, and tourism promotion digitalization are key strategies in supporting village community economic resilience. Additionally, significant income improvement was found among CBT actors after the pandemic, with an average increase of 50% in 2023 compared to 2020. Supporting factors include multi-stakeholder collaboration, active citizen participation, and digital adaptation, while main challenges include capital access and service standards. This research concludes that CBT has great potential as a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable local community-based economic development model amidst post-pandemic dynamics.