Tourism remains one of the fastest-growing global industries, significantly contributing to economic, social, and cultural advancement. Within this dynamic sector, Special Interest Tourism (SIT) has emerged as an alternative form of tourism that emphasizes meaningful, sustainable, and authentic visitor experiences compared to conventional mass tourism. This study investigates the development of SIT in Desa Wisata Lantan, Central Lombok, Indonesia, by integrating natural and sociocultural resources through a community-based approach. An exploratory qualitative method was employed, using participatory observation, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and document analysis. A total of 32 informants were purposively selected, including community leaders, tourism managers, local residents, and visitors. Data were analyzed using Miles and Huberman’s interactive model and validated through triangulation of sources, methods, and time. These findings indicate that Lantan Village effectively integrates its forest landscapes, waterfalls, agricultural diversity, and local traditions into distinctive SIT products. The tourism packages offered range from cultural immersion activities, such as traditional cooking classes, local games, and handicraft workshops, to nature-based experiences, such as trekking, fun biking, camping, and coffee exploration. Quantitatively, participants reported an average 35% increase in knowledge and interest in local culture after joining the post-visit evaluations, demonstrating the educational impact of these activities. Community participation was identified as the key factor supporting sustainability, where 78% of tourism initiatives were locally managed. Despite these achievements, challenges remain in terms of human resource capacity and digital marketing, which limit broader competitiveness. In conclusion, Desa Wisata Lantan represents a promising model of community-based special-interest tourism that harmonizes ecological conservation, cultural preservation, and socio-economic empowerment. This study contributes to the growing literature on rural SIT development and provides practical insights for policymakers and destination managers in designing inclusive, sustainable, and experience-driven tourism models in developing regions.
Putra et al. (Wed,) studied this question.