Institutional and Governance Barriers to Sustainable Ecotourism Implementation in Coastal Destinations: A Qualitative Literature Review
Keywords:
Sustainable ecotourism, Governance, Institutional barriers, coastal tourismAbstract
Sustainable ecotourism has been widely promoted as a development strategy capable of balancing environmental conservation, community welfare, and economic growth, particularly in coastal destinations. However, despite strong policy endorsement, the practical implementation of sustainable ecotourism remains inconsistent and often ineffective. This study develops a conceptual understanding of institutional and governance barriers that hinder sustainable ecotourism implementation in coastal areas. Using a qualitative literature review approach, this research synthesizes 40 peer-reviewed journal articles, academic books, and international policy reports published between 1990 and 2024. The findings reveal four dominant governance-related barriers: fragmented institutional coordination, weak regulatory enforcement, limited community participation, and power asymmetries among stakeholders. The study contributes theoretically by integrating governance theory and sustainable tourism literature into a coherent framework explaining implementation gaps. Practically, it provides insights for policymakers and destination managers to strengthen institutional capacity, foster collaborative governance, and enhance accountability mechanisms in coastal ecotourism development.
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