Social Capital: Contextualisation of Tourism Village Management in Indonesia

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to examine the social capital process of local tourism governance in Kampung Pelangi Semarang and Kampung Jodipan Malang. The research context considers the differing levels of success between the two communities. Although both villages are community-managed, only Kampung Jodipan Malang remains successful while Kampung Pelangi Semarang has experienced a decline.

Methods:. The study was undertaken using qualitative techniques and a case study methodology. We examined two research sites and analyzed various entities at both locations, such as the administration of tourist villages, community businesses, and local communities. We relied on documentation and interviews to gather data.

Results: The study indicates contrasting social capital contexts in the two tourism villages, specifically regarding trust amongst organizers. This disparity results from differing paradigms in the initiation of the villages, variations in the degree of comprehension of collective values, as evident in the level of commitment in managing the tourist villages, and discrepancies in mutual goals amongst communities, which influence the local community's rationality in continuing the tourism model or transitioning to other activities based on necessities. It is important to consider these three aspects of social capital in their context, rather than solely in conceptual terms.

Conclusions: This research highlights that failure of social capital should be viewed not only from a conceptual perspective, but also through the lens of real-world factors, including the underlying pillars of social capital, ongoing processes, external factors beyond the control of the social system, and the practices of the community at the micro level.