Community Participation and Rural Transformation: Local Empowerment in Tourism Development at Sekapuk Village, Gresik, Indonesia

Abstract

Tourism-based rural development has emerged as a promising pathway for economic and social transformation in Indonesia. This study examines the participation of local residents in the empowerment of Sekapuk Village, Ujungpangkah, Gresik, which successfully transformed from a former limestone mining area into a vibrant tourist destination managed through community investment. Using a qualitative approach based on Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), the research explores the forms, levels, and impacts of community involvement in planning, investment, implementation, and sustainability of the tourism enterprise.
Findings reveal that local participation extends beyond conventional labor contributions to include financial investment, collective decision-making, and shared responsibility through the village-owned enterprise (BUMDes). Community members contributed capital, skills, and voluntary labor, enabling the establishment of Setigi tourism object as a sustainable village asset. The results highlight how community participation not only enhances local ownership and pride but also strengthens social capital, creates employment opportunities, and improves household income. Challenges remain, particularly in balancing tourism growth with environmental sustainability and ensuring equitable benefit distribution.
The study contributes to the literature on community-based tourism (CBT) by providing empirical evidence of how participatory investment models foster rural empowerment in Indonesia. It also underscores the importance of institutional support, capacity building, and inclusive governance to sustain such initiatives. Policy implications suggest that village-level tourism development should prioritize community ownership and participatory mechanisms to achieve long-term sustainability and resilience.