Social-Religious Dimensions of Sustainable Ecotourism: A Phenomenological Study of Sharia Economic Practices in Namu Tourism Village

IAIN Kendari, Kendari, Indonesia

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Abstract

Ecotourism development is an important strategy in encouraging sustainable regional economic development. However, ecotourism management often does not fully integrate religious values and economic justice relevant to the characteristics of local communities. This study aims to analyze ecotourism development strategies using a sharia economic approach in Southeast Sulawesi through a phenomenological study in Namu Tourism Village. This study uses a qualitative approach with a phenomenological design. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and documentation studies with tourism village managers, village officials, religious leaders, MSMEs, local communities, and tourists. Data analysis was conducted thematically phenomenologically with the stages of bracketing, grouping meanings, and synthesizing the essence of informants' experiences. The results show that the people of Namu Tourism Village interpret ecotourism as an economic activity based on the values of justice, sustainability, and welfare. Sharia economic principles are applied contextually through deliberation, management transparency, fair benefit sharing, and concern for environmental conservation. Sharia-based ecotourism contributes to community economic empowerment and strengthening social solidarity, despite still facing challenges such as limited human resources, infrastructure, and policy support. This study concludes that ecotourism development using a sharia-based economic approach has the potential to become a model for sustainable tourism management that is equitable and contextualized with the religious values of local communities.