An Integrated Governance–Digital–Community Model for Sustainable Heritage Tourism:The Mediating Role of Visitor Performance in Community-Based Destinations in Bali
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61402/crj.v3i3.587Keywords:
heritage tourism; governance capacity; community-based tourism; digital integration; destination sustainability.Abstract
Heritage tourism destinations face a paradox in which international recognition does not necessarily ensure sustainable visitor performance. This study develops and empirically tests the Integrated Governance-Digital-Community (IGD-C) Model to explain destination sustainability in community-based heritage tourism settings. Drawing on adaptive governance theory, Community-Based Tourism (CBT) frameworks, and socio-technical systems perspectives, the model positions governance capacity, community participation, and digital integration as key drivers of visitor performance, which in turn mediates sustainability outcomes. A cross-sectional survey of 340 visitors was conducted in two UNESCO-recognized heritage destinations in Bali: Penglipuran Village and Jatiluwih Subak Landscape. Structural Equation Modeling with Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) was employed to test the hypotheses. Results reveal that governance capacity exerts the strongest influence on visitor performance, followed by community participation and digital integration. Visitor performance fully mediates the relationship between these three factors and destination sustainability. Comparative analysis shows Penglipuran excels in governance and community dimensions, while Jatiluwih demonstrates stronger digital integration. The IGD-C model contributes to tourism governance theory by identifying visitor performance as the critical transmission mechanism linking institutional capacity, social capital, and technological innovation to long-term sustainability.
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