Sustainable Tourism in Bali: The Role of Local Communities in Hotel Management and Its Impact on Tourists Experience

Abstract

Tourism in Bali, especially in the southern regions such as Badung and Denpasar, is a very important economic sector, but it is often overlooked when it comes to empowering local communities. This study aims to explore the role of local community involvement in the management of hotels in the southern region of Bali and its impact on the tourist experience. The method used in this study is a qualitative descriptive approach by analyzing secondary data from literature, reports, and case studies related to the implementation of community-based tourism (CBT) in Bali. The results show that although some large hotels have undertaken various Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities, the involvement of local communities in tourism planning and management is still limited. Existing programs focus more on environmental stewardship, while local social and cultural empowerment is often overlooked. On the other hand, community-based hotels such as those found in Pererenan show that community involvement at every stage of management can improve the tourist experience and provide more equitable economic benefits to local communities. This study concludes that to improve the sustainability and well-being of the community, a more inclusive approach is needed in tourism management, by actively involving local communities in the planning and operation of hotels in Bali.