Resilient Ecotourism and Community Well-Being: A PLS-SEM Approach in Bukit Lawang

Nature-based tourism in developing countries is increasingly vulnerable to environmental disruptions, socio-economic shocks, and institutional fragility.This study proposes and empirically validates a conceptual model of resilient ecotourism development aimed at enhancing community well-being in Bukit Lawang, Indonesia.The model integrates four key constructs: ecotourism development, tourism resilience, community-based governance, and community well-being.Using a quantitative approach, data were collected from 150 local stakeholders and analyzed with Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM).The results confirm that ecotourism development significantly improves community well-being both directly and indirectly through tourism resilience, with substantial explanatory power (R =0.652).Community-based governance also contributes to resilience and equitable outcomes, although with a smaller direct effect.These findings highlight the strategic importance of integrating adaptive capacity and inclusive governance into sustainable tourism planning.The model offers practical insights for policymakers and tourism managers in fragile ecotourism destinations.