Collaborative Governance in Community-Based Mangrove Ecotourism: A Case Study of Banua Pangka, Luwu Timur

Abstract

This qualitative case study investigates the governance transformation of a mangrove ecotourism destination in Banua Pangka, Luwu Timur, Indonesia — a site initially developed through grassroots initiatives led by a local youth group and later formalized under institutional management. The research addresses two central questions: (1) How has the shift from community-led to institutionalized governance affected local participation? and (2) What mechanisms of exclusion have emerged, and how has the community responded? Drawing on semi-structured interviews with 20 stakeholders, participatory observation, and document analysis, the study reveals that while institutionalization brought increased visibility and infrastructure improvements, it also led to both procedural and symbolic exclusion of the original community actors. Exclusion was not primarily driven by policy but through informal practices and discursive strategies that undermined grassroots legitimacy. Despite marginalization, the initiating community demonstrated resilience by establishing alternative tourism services and informal networks, maintaining environmental stewardship and livelihood benefits. These findings contribute to Community-Based Tourism (CBT) literature by highlighting tensions between institutionalization and grassroots ownership, particularly in post-viral tourism contexts where rapid popularity precedes structured governance. The study underscores the need for inclusive governance models that recognize and integrate grassroots initiatives rather than displacing them. It provides empirical support for theories of symbolic exclusion and participatory inequality in sustainable tourism development, offering practical insights for policymakers and practitioners aiming to balance growth with equity.