Community attitudes, adaptive capacity, and competitive performance in sustainable tourism development in a small town

I Wayan Koko Suryawan (), Imelda Masni Juniaty Sianipar (), Chun-Hung Lee (), Ari Rahman () and Evi Siti Sofiyah ()
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I Wayan Koko Suryawan: Universitas Pertamina, Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Infrastructure Planning
Imelda Masni Juniaty Sianipar: Universitas Kristen Indonesia, Department of International Relations, Faculty of Social Science and Political Science
Chun-Hung Lee: Universitas Pertamina, Center for Environmental Solution (CVISION)
Ari Rahman: Universitas Pertamina, Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Infrastructure Planning
Evi Siti Sofiyah: Universitas Pertamina, Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Infrastructure Planning

Asia-Pacific Journal of Regional Science, 2025, vol. 9, issue 4, No 7, 1053-1079

Abstract: Abstract This study explored the interplay between complementary attitudes, adaptive capacity, competitive performance and community willingness to participate in sustainable tourism initiatives in small towns. Using Labuan Bajo, Indonesia, as a case study, the research applied Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to examine the relationships between these variables. Results indicated that complementary attitudes strongly influence competitive performance and willingness to participate, highlighting the importance of shared values and community cohesion. Competitive performance, encompassing marketing effectiveness and resource availability significantly drove participation, while adaptive capacity demonstrated indirect importance in fostering resilience. These findings revealed that small-town development strategies should integrate community engagement, ecological awareness and innovative practices to ensure sustainable economic growth. Policy implications suggest alignment of local strengths with broader regional urban systems for inclusive and sustainable development. Limitations and recommendations for future research include the need for longitudinal studies and comparative analyses across varying urban contexts to enhance understanding of small-town dynamics in sustainable tourism.

Keywords: Sustainable tourism; Community engagement; Adaptive capacity; Competitive performance; Small-town development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/s41685-025-00399-1

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