Cultural Tourism Development in Sumba Barat, Indonesia: an Analysis of Stakeholder Relations and Sustainable Heritage Management

Abstract

This study examines how stakeholder relations shape sustainable cultural tourism and heritage management in Sumba Barat Regency, Indonesia. The study addresses four questions concerning government-private-sector relations, community participation, local economic benefits, and the use of tourism benefits for village heritage conservation. A qualitative design was employed using policy-document analysis, participant observation, and in-depth interviews with 17 purposively selected stakeholders representing government, private tourism businesses, community and traditional leaders, an NGO, and a tourist. The findings show a persistent gap between tourism policy and implementation. Government-private-sector relations provide greater visibility and support to large tourism businesses, while locally owned enterprises receive less institutional attention. Community participation is uneven: Prai Ijing has developed relatively active community-based tourism, whereas Tarung remains largely community-managed with limited government support. Tourism revenues are concentrated among hotels, restaurants, and external travel agents, while local economic benefits are more visible in handicraft sales and selected tourism villages. Heritage-conservation support is also geographically selective. The study proposes a contextual stakeholder model that connects government, private-sector, and community action with four sustainability dimensions: economic, social, environmental, and cultural. The model emphasizes continuous capacity building, fair benefit sharing, stronger inter-stakeholder coordination, and the protection of local cultural values.