Integrating Cultural Heritage and Creative Economy for Sustainable Tourism Development: A Case Study of Lombok, Indonesia
Keywords:
Sustainble tourism, Cultural toursim , Creative economy , Sasak community , LombokAbstract
Sustainable tourism in Indonesia faces challenges in balancing economic growth, cultural preservation, and environmental sustainability. Lombok Island, with its rich Sasak cultural heritage and the development of strategic tourism areas such as Mandalika, serves as a significant case study for understanding the integration of cultural heritage and the creative economy. This article aims to analyze the potential, challenges, and strategies for sustainable tourism development based on cultural heritage and the creative economy in Lombok. The method employed is a literature study with a descriptive qualitative approach, drawing from academic sources, international organization reports, and government policies. Findings indicate that Sasak cultural heritage demonstrates high resilience and can be integrated with the creative economy sector to produce authentic and competitive tourism products. Local creative industries significantly contribute to community welfare while strengthening cultural identity. However, challenges persist, including the risk of local community marginalization, environmental pressures, and infrastructure limitations. Required strategies include strengthening community empowerment, developing integrated management models, and implementing community-based tourism principles in line with international guidelines. The integration of culture and the creative economy in Lombok can serve as a best-practice model for sustainable tourism development in Indonesia.
References
Abdurrahman, A., Suprayetno, D., Kusmayadi, I., Dakwah, M. M., Roodhi, M. N., & Pahrudin, P. (2025). Analysis of The Implementation of Community-Based Tourism Principles in Sustainable Tourism Development in North Lombok Regency. Advace in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, 103–115. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-392-4_9
Adhitya Bagus Singandaru, J., Husni, V. H., Kartikasari, N., & Shalehah, S. R. (2024). Strategic development of tourism based on local wisdom in regional planning: A case study of North and Central Lombok Regencies. Convergence: The Journal of Economic Development, 6(2), 145–163. https://ejournal.unib.ac.id/convergence-jep/article/view/38932/16910/127973 (Ejournal Universitas Bengkulu)
Chaniago, D. S., Nugroho, H., & Isbah, M. F. (2023). State capitalism in the tourism sector: Mandalika Special Economic Zone study. International Journal of Economic Research and Sustainability in Cities, 4(5), 709–? https://doi.org/10.51601/ijersc.v4i5.709 (IJERSC)
Cantika Yuli, S. B., Septiani, E., Pramuja, R. A., Supiandi, & Najmudin, M. (2023). Tourism development and local community welfare: A case study of the Mandalika Special Economic Zone. Journal of Environmental Management and Tourism, 14(4), Article 21. https://doi.org/10.14505/jemt.v14.4(68).21 (Asers Publishing Journals)
Fatina, S., Soesilo, T. E. B., & Tambunan, R. P. (2023). Collaborative integrated sustainable tourism management model using system dynamics: A case of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Sustainability, 15(15), 11937. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151511937
Harinurdin, E., Laksmono, B. S., Kusumastuti, R., & Safitri, K. A. (2025). Community empowerment utilizing open innovation as a sustainable village-owned enterprise strategy in Indonesia: A systematic literature review. Sustainability, 17(8), 3394. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17083394
ICOMOS/ICTC. (n.d.). Charters and guidance on cultural tourism. International Council on Monuments and Sites.
Kementerian Pariwisata dan Ekonomi Kreatif Republik Indonesia. (n.d.). Program dan kebijakan pariwisata berkelanjutan & ekonomi kreatif. https://www.kemenparekraf.go.id
Khaririyatun, N., Adiyoga, W., Mudhofir, M. R. T., Andari, T., Mahendri, I. G. A. P., Perwitasari, E. P., & Wardhana, I. W. (2023). The Development of Transportation System for Tourism in Mandalika: A SWOT Analysis. Proceedings of the 1st International Hospitality, Travel and Event Conference, 1, 208–225. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6463-170-8_20
Loulanski, T., & Loulanski, V. (2011). The sustainable integration of cultural heritage and tourism: A meta-study. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 19(7), 837–862. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2011.553286
Novita, N., et al. (2024). Preserving cultural heritage: Integrating traditional values and local arts for sustainable tourism. [ResearchGate].
OECD. (2022). Maximising synergies between tourism and cultural and creative sectors. Paris: OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/bf5347e6-en
Permadi, L. A., Retnowati, W., & Hilmiati. (2023). Analysis of sustainable tourism development strategy in the Kembang Kuning village, Sikur District, East Lombok. Proceedings of the Medan International Conference on Economics and Business, 1, 202–? https://proceeding.umsu.ac.id/index.php/Miceb/article/download/121/152 (Proceeding UMSU)
Richards, G. (2011). Creativity and tourism: The state of the art. Annals of Tourism Research, 38(4), 1225–1253. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2011.07.008
Richards, G., & Raymond, C. (Eds.). (2018). Creative tourism in smaller communities: Place, culture and local representation. CABI. https://doi.org/10.1079/9781786393431.0000
Saputro, K. E. A., Hasim, Karlinasari, L., & Beik, I. S. (2023). Evaluation of sustainable rural tourism development with an integrated approach: Case study in Ciamis, West Java, Indonesia. Sustainability, 15(3), 1835. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15031835
Sasongko, I., Gai, A. M., Wijayaningtyas, M., Susanti, D., Sukowiyono, G., & Putra, D. (2025). Sasak Cultural Resilience: A Case for Lombok (Indonesia) Earthquake in 2018. Heritage, 8(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8050155
Sayuti, R. H. (2023). Community readiness in implementing sustainable tourism on small islands: Evidence from Lombok, Indonesia. Sustainability, 15(12), 9725. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15129725
Susilorini, R. M. I., Ismail, A., Wastunimpuna, B. Y. A., Wardhani, D. K., Prameswari, L. L. N., Amasto, A. H., & Suryono, A. (2022). Tourism village carbon footprint after COVID-19 pandemic: A challenge to sustainability. Sustainability, 14(4), 2400. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14042400
UNESCO World Heritage Centre. (2021). Operational guidelines for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention. UNESCO.
UNWTO. (2018). Tourism and culture synergies. Madrid: World Tourism Organization. https://doi.org/10.18111/9789284418978
Widjaja, H. R., Rizkiyah, P., Royanow, A. F., Lemy, D. M., & Brian, R. (2023). The economic impact of tourism development in Mandalika, Lombok, Indonesia. Journal of Law and Sustainable Development, 11(9), 1–19. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/374540814
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Mohamad Yudisa Putrajip

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.