A Literature Review on the Role of Local Wisdom in Fostering Sustainable Tourism
Keywords:
Local Wisdom, Sustainable Tourism, Community Engagement, Cultural Preservation, Environmental StewardshiAbstract
Sustainable local tourism requires integrating cultural, economic, and environmental dimensions to ensure that tourism development benefits local communities while preserving natural and cultural resources. Local wisdom, encompassing traditional knowledge, values, and practices, plays a crucial role in guiding sustainable tourism strategies. This narrative thematic literature review aims to synthesize existing studies on the application of local wisdom in sustainable tourism development. A total of 45 studies published between 2015 and 2026 were reviewed and analyzed through thematic synthesis. The findings identify several key themes, including community participation and governance, cultural identity preservation, economic resilience, and environmental conservation. The results indicate that integrating local wisdom into tourism planning enhances community engagement, strengthens cultural identity, supports inclusive economic development, and promotes sustainable environmental management. Furthermore, effective implementation of local knowledge encourages stakeholder collaboration and improves governance efficiency in tourism decision-making. This review synthesizes fragmented knowledge to propose an integrated framework for understanding the role of local wisdom in sustainable tourism development, highlighting pathways for future empirical research. The findings provide insights for policymakers, tourism managers, and scholars seeking to implement culturally grounded and sustainable tourism practices that empower communities and support long-term destination viability.
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