Jael Dolores Zambrano-Mieles, Dolores Narcisa Mieles-Cevallos, Lourdes Janneth Suntasig-Tuasa, Leonardo Fabiani-Orbea
ABSTRACT
Community-driven sustainable tourism is increasingly recognized as a vital strategy for fostering balanced economic, social, and environmental progress in local regions while prioritizing resident involvement. This study systematically reviews the opportunities and barriers in sustainable tourism, emphasizing community engagement and regional growth. Through a bibliometric analysis of 28 studies published from 2020 to 2025, it identifies critical trends, research gaps, and emerging themes shaping participatory tourism governance. Employing the PRISMA framework, this research conducted a systematic literature review using Scopus and Web of Science databases, with strict inclusion criteria. Bibliometric methods, including productivity trends, keyword mapping, and institutional collaboration networks, were applied to analyze the selected studies. The review synthesizes key themes, challenges, and effective strategies for community-based tourism, highlighting best practices and areas for future exploration. Community-based tourism generates significant benefits, such as job creation, economic diversification, cultural preservation, and enhanced social cohesion. However, challenges like poor community organization, limited funding, and inadequate policy support persist. The study underscores the importance of participatory governance and local empowerment in achieving equitable and sustainable tourism outcomes. Innovative approaches, including cooperative frameworks and creative problem-solving methods like Design Thinking, offer promising solutions to structural obstacles. This study advances the literature by combining bibliometric and systematic review techniques to map trends and gaps in sustainable tourism research. It provides a novel synthesis of governance models that enhance community participation, offering actionable policy recommendations. By highlighting the transformative potential of inclusive tourism initiatives, this work serves as a guide for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners aiming to promote sustainable regional development.
