Sustainable Tourism Development in Glawan Village: Balancing Infrastructure Growth and Environment through Local Governance

Abstract This study examines the governance of sustainable tourism development in Glawan Village, Semarang Regency, focusing on local leadership, land-use management, and environmental strategies. Employing qualitative case study methods—including in-depth interviews with village leaders and tourism actors, analysis of RPJMDes and Perdes planning documents, and field observations—the research reveals how the village head functions as a policy entrepreneur by integrating tourism priorities into formal development plans, mobilizing community-based tourism groups, and negotiating spatial alignment with district authorities. Land-use changes, such as converting farmland into homestays and visitor facilities, are managed through participatory zoning and codified in village regulations that safeguard agricultural and ecological zones. Environmental strategies emphasize organic farming tours, eco-education programs, and waste-management systems led by local groups, aligning with community-based sustainable tourism principles. Institutionalization occurs through the Tourism Awareness Group (Pokdarwis), which coordinates operations and ensures transparent benefit distribution via village deliberations (musyawarah desa). The findings underscore how strong local leadership combined with institutional innovation fosters sustainable tourism governance while protecting environmental integrity. The Glawan model offers valuable lessons for replicating community-based, ecologically sensitive tourism frameworks in rural contexts across Indonesia. This case highlights the critical interplay between governance, community empowerment, and environmental stewardship in rural tourism development.