Women, Tourism, and Sharia Finance: A Synergy Model for Sustainable Development in Tourist Destinations

Purpose: This study examines the synergy between women's empowerment, tourism development, and the Islamic financial system in the context of coastal and natural tourism destinations in Banyuwangi Regency, Indonesia. Patients and methods: descriptive qualitative approach was used through participatory observation, in-depth interviews with 15 key informants, and documentation studies at two leading tourism locations: Pulau Merah Beach and Djawatan Forest Tourism. Results: Women play a vital role in the tourism ecosystem, especially through micro and small businesses in the creative economy sector, with participation reaching 75% in trade and supporting services. However, participation remains concentrated at the operational level with minimal representation in leadership and decision-making positions. Bank Syariah Indonesia contributes through sharia financing, fintech services, and financial training programs. However, adoption of Islamic financial services by women entrepreneurs is still low (<10%) due to literacy barriers, perceived procedural complexity, and product mismatch with tourism business characteristics. Conclusion: The study proposes a three-pillar conceptual framework integrating gender, sustainable tourism, and inclusive finance, along with tiered policy recommendations to optimize synergy among the three elements.