Developing an inclusive community sustainable livelihood framework through blue economy concept for marine and coastal tourism destination development

Sustainable livelihoods in marine and coastal destinations require development strategies that balance economic growth with environmental conservation and community well-being. While the Blue Economy has been promoted as a pathway to achieve this balance through initiatives such as marine protected areas, sustainable fisheries, and eco-friendly coastal tourism, there has been limited research examined how tourism development specifically shapes community livelihoods within this framework, particularly in the Malaysian context. Therefore, the present study examines how current tourism policies and initiatives have influenced local livelihood assets, strategies, and outcomes. It further explores the potential of adopting a multi-livelihood strategy, grounded in Blue Economy principles, to strengthen socio-economic resilience among coastal communities. Guided by the Sustainable Livelihood Framework (SLF) and Blue Economy principles, this qualitative research employed semi-structured interviews with sixteen stakeholders, including tourism operators, local communities, government officials, and academics. The purposive sampling technique used to provide a rich and diverse perspective. Thematic analysis used to analyse qualitative data through Nvivo software. This study also established validity in qualitative research known as trustworthiness, which includes four criteria for qualitative inquiry: credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability. Findings reveal both opportunities and challenges in integrating tourism development with Blue Economy strategies. Key issues include policy coordination gaps, limited community capacity-building, and environmental management concerns. Nevertheless, evidence suggests that a multi-livelihood strategy combining tourism, fisheries, and other marine-based activities can enhance household income diversification, strengthen adaptive capacity, and support long-term sustainability when embedded within inclusive governance mechanisms. The study contributes theoretically by extending SLF applications to the tourism Blue Economy nexus, offering a novel lens to assess socio-economic transformation in small island contexts. Policy contributions include the need for clearer Blue Economy guidelines, integrated tourism livelihood planning, and targeted capacity development. Overall, the findings provide actionable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and community leaders seeking to operationalise sustainable coastal development in Malaysia and comparable island settings. However, as a qualitative case study conducted in a single context, the findings provide in-dept insights but are not intended for broad generalisation.