The impact of tourism on land cover change: a case study of star fruit agrotourism in Karangsari, Blitar City, Indonesia

Purpose This study aims to investigate the complex relationship between star fruit–based agrotourism development, land cover change, and socio-economic dynamics in Karangsari Village, Blitar City, Indonesia. The main objective is to understand the paradox where the economic success of a centralized agrotourism site coincides with the decline of community-owned star fruit yards, which are vital for local identity. The research seeks to integrate spatial-temporal analysis with socio-economic impact assessment within the framework of sustainable rural development. Design/methodology/approach This research employs a convergent parallel mixed-method design, combining quantitative spatial analysis with qualitative socio-economic assessment. Quantitative data include GIS-based land cover classification and multi-temporal satellite imagery from 2006, 2014 and 2024. Qualitative data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with 45 community stakeholders, including village officials, farmers, tourism operators and residents, to explore the socio-economic drivers behind land use changes. Findings The study reveals substantial conversion of agricultural land, especially star fruit orchards, into residential and commercial areas over the past two decades. Economic incentives, including new tourism-related employment and rising land values, have led residents to perceive land more as a financial asset than an agricultural resource. This shift drives individual decisions to convert or sell land, contributing to the decline of community-based agricultural resources and threatening the authentic identity and sustainability of the agrotourism destination. Research limitations/implications The study is geographically limited to Karangsari Village and temporally focused on 2006–2024, which restricts broader generalization. Qualitative findings depend on interview data, subject to possible respondent biases. Further longitudinal and comparative studies are needed to examine long-term social impacts and explore varied agrotourism contexts. Practical implications The research recommends adopting incentive-based zoning to protect agricultural land and implementing integrated benefit-sharing schemes that align individual economic benefits with community sustainability goals. These interventions support balanced land use planning, ensuring agrotourism development enhances local livelihoods without degrading cultural and environmental assets. Social implications Agrotourism fosters increased community interaction and economic opportunities but may also accentuate social inequalities and dependency on the tourism sector. Inclusive participatory planning and equitable distribution of benefits are crucial to maintaining social cohesion and preserving cultural heritage amid rapid land use transformations. Originality/value This study contributes originality by applying an integrated framework that links sector-specific agrotourism development with spatial and socio-economic transformations at the village scale. It enriches land use and land cover change theory through empirical evidence of feedback loops where centralized tourism success may unintentionally undermine community-based resource sustainability, offering insights for policy and planning in rural tourism development.