Hendri Azwar, Mohd Hafiz Hanafiah, Mohd Salehuddin Mohd Zahari, Arni Abd Gani, Feri Ferdian
This qualitative investigation explores community-based tourism (CBT) through the lens of the Penta-Helix multi-stakeholder collaboration model, examining its effectiveness, outcomes, limitations, and future strategic directions. Qualitative data were collected via semi-structured and in-depth interviews with 19 informants representing the local government, academia, business, community, and media sectors. While multi-stakeholder engagement has promoted community empowerment and supported sustainable development, the findings reveal key challenges that impede CBT progress. These include insufficient funding, bureaucratic delays, uneven participation, and the marginalization of local wisdom. Such issues often lead to fragmented implementation and unrealized potential. The study underscores the need for improved resource allocation, streamlined decision-making, inclusive stakeholder engagement, and the nurturing of local leadership. Importantly, this research contributes to refining the Penta-Helix framework by identifying critical communication and conflict resolution mechanisms necessary to balance power dynamics and strengthen collaborative governance through active community involvement in CBT initiatives. © 2025 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Fakultas Pariwisata dan Perhotelan, Universitas Negeri Padang, Padang, Indonesia; Faculty of Hotel and Tourism Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selangor, Malaysia; Institute of Biodiversity and Sustainable Development, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selangor, Malaysia
