Tourism in the Fabric of Island Life: Livelihoods and Local Economic Linkages in Bangka Belitung, Indonesia

Abstract

This study examines how tourism development interacts with local economic activities and livelihood systems in the small-island destinations of Pulau Panjang and Pulau Lengkuas, Bangka Belitung Islands Province, Indonesia. A qualitative approach was employed through semi-structured interviews with 18 purposively selected participants involved in tourism and tourism-related economic activities. The interview data were analysed using thematic analysis to identify patterns related to tourism opportunities, livelihood diversification, tourism–MSME linkages, and structural constraints. The findings show that tourism creates local economic opportunities through marine transportation, accommodation, food businesses, and local products. Tourism also interacts with existing maritime livelihoods, particularly fishing and boat building, by providing additional uses for boats, skills, and local resources. Local MSMEs participate in tourism while also accessing external markets through product distribution and digital marketing. However, tourism activities are constrained by infrastructure limitations, sea and weather conditions, limited facilities, and fluctuations in visitor demand. The study highlights that small-island tourism is embedded in a broader local economic and livelihood system, rather than functioning as an isolated economic sector.

Keywords: small-island tourism, sustainable livelihoods, local economic linkages, MSMEs, livelihood diversification