Stakeholder voices in coastal and marine tourism: unpacking the drivers and barriers to sustainable engagement

Coastal and marine areas are vital for tourism and local livelihoods. While literature often highlights community support driven by economic benefits, concerns about environmental degradation and cultural pollution remain underexplored. Drawing on Social Exchange Theory and Social Network Theory, this paper examines drivers and barriers to sustainable stakeholder engagement in coastal and marine tourism. Data were collected in 2024 through 17 semi-structured interviews and a focus group with local community members, tourists and government representatives in Iran. Thematic analysis identified four antecedents: economic-infrastructural, socio-cultural, environmental and governance-institutional. The environmental dimension emerged more as a barrier, while others showed balanced dynamics as both drivers and barriers. This paper offers a nuanced perspective on cooperation and resource exchange mechanisms, emphasizing their role in promoting sustainable tourism development.