Mixed-methods analysis shows increased livelihoods through tourism in rural villages, indicating sustainable business models.
Rural economies in tropical regions are undergoing complex transformations, primarily driven by increasing urbanisation that alters the socio-economic fabric of village life. This study explores the economic transition in Karang Tengah Village, which has shifted from a predominantly agricultural base to a model centred on community-based ecotourism, with a particular focus on nature trekking guide services. The research aims to develop an inclusive and sustainable rural business model. Employing a mixed-methods explanatory approach, the study integrates actor-based quantitative surveys, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and participatory observations. Five key findings emerge: a substantial shift in primary livelihoods towards tourism; the creation of new employment opportunities for the village’s youth; the pivotal institutional role of PLGS as a community-based management entity; conflict mitigation through adaptive spatial planning; and the emergence of a village business model rooted in biological assets, institutional capacity, and inclusive entrepreneurship. The study concludes that community-based trekking services represent a viable paradigm for sustainable rural development in tropical regions, offering valuable insights and potential for replication in comparable settings.
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Mujio et al. (2025) studied this question.