Authors:
Simon Ebel Maris Phoek, Lavenia Lauwinata
Addresses:
Department of Business Management Study Program, Saint Theresa College of Economics, Merauke, South Papua, Indonesia.
Abstract:
This study addresses the national agenda for inclusive economic growth in underdeveloped and border regions by proposing ecotourism-based development strategies in South Papua Province. The research aims to identify key challenges faced by tourism enterprises and to formulate a locally grounded, sustainable tourism framework that strengthens indigenous communities and MSMEs while balancing economic, environmental, and cultural sustainability. An exploratory case study with a descriptive qualitative approach was employed, focusing on Merauke Regency as a strategic tourism gateway characterised by high biodiversity and cultural diversity, yet with limited development of tourism enterprises. Data were analysed to capture local dynamics, community participation, and the integration of ecotourism, community-based entrepreneurship, and circular-economy principles. The findings reveal that districts in South Papua possess complementary tourism potentials that can be integrated into thematic clusters, enabling a “one-stop destination” model based on community-based ecotourism (CBET). Frugal innovation, local wisdom, and community-led digital promotion emerge as key competitive strategies. Policy implications highlight the need for adaptive regulations that recognise indigenous governance systems, incentivise community-based investment, support green infrastructure development, and strengthen inter-district collaboration. Overall, the study contributes both theoretically and practically to sustainable tourism and collaborative governance in eastern Indonesia.
Keywords: Indigenous Communities; Community-Based Tourism; Frugal Innovation; Tourism Enterprises; Collaborative Governance; Border and Underdeveloped Regions.
Received: 16/12/2024, Revised: 08/03/2025, Accepted: 19/06/2025, Published: 11/12/2025
DOI: 10.64091/ATISL.2025.000238
AVE Trends in Intelligent Social Letters, 2025 Vol. 2 No. 4 , Pages: 173-183