Development of agam regency Community-Based Tourism (CBT): a Penta Helix multi-stakeholders perspectives / Hendri Azwar

Realizing the benefits of the tourism sector on economic growth, job generation and poverty eradication, including the local community, the Indonesian government increasingly encourage the local community participation in developing the tourism attractions and managing a sustainable business through tourism multi- stakeholders’ collaboration. The Penta Helix multi- stakeholder collaboration model comprises of the local government, academic, business, media and community were introduced by the Indonesian government in supporting the development of the local tourism and Community-Based Tourism (CBT) program to increase economic growth in the provinces and regencies. Given the prospects of tourism in Agam, one of regencies in West Sumatra with substantial valuable resources, it is crucial to understand the development CBT with the Penta Helix model. This qualitative study explores the Agam Regency perspective and CBT future development by utilizing the Penta Helix multistakeholder’s management framework. Specifically, it looks on the perception, key stakeholders’ involvement, local community’s involvement, and future strategies on the CBT development. In obtaining insights into the matters investigated, five Penta Helix elements and its associates (Government, Academics, Business, Community, and Media) were interviewed. Using NVivo software and through a narrative and thematic analysis all objectives and research questions were successfully accomplished. The study unearthed that tourism in Agam Regency has thrived, significantly boosting local and international revenue and fortifying the local economy. The Penta Helix multistakeholder synergy not only fosters innovation, regional development, and tourism but also encourages local community participation in the CBT program, although it has not reached optimal levels. However, existing Penta Helix roles are narrowly focused on individual tasks, lacking a cohesive and comprehensive approach to synergy, diminishing the effectiveness of proposed plans. The study observed persistently low local community participation in the CBT program, attributed to a lack of collective awareness, skills, and knowledge. Moreover, beyond the Penta Helix model, there is a notable absence of models addressing human resources related to the local community, local tourism destination development, and local tourism regulation. This absence perpetuates social injustice by unevenly distributing economic benefits, neglecting those less or highly associated with tourism. The insights derived from this qualitative research offer both academic and practical contributions, yielding diverse consequences for the Penta Helix, other relevant authorities, and the local community.