THE SOCIAL MODEL OF DEVELOPING ECOTOURISMTHROUGH COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Keywords:
Ecotourism, social model, community participation, sustainable development, empowerment, environmental conservation.Abstract
Ecotourism has emerged as a sustainable approach to balancing
environmental protection with socio-economic development. This study explores the social model of ecotourism, emphasizing community participation as a foundation for sustainable tourism. The research identifies how involving local residents in planning, management, and benefit-sharing promotes ecological preservation, cultural continuity, and local empowerment. Using qualitative methods such as interviews, observation, and document analysis, the study highlights the vital role of participatory governance in building community resilience. The findings reveal that effective community-based ecotourism enhances both environmental stewardship and social cohesion, making it a key strategy for sustainable rural development.
