Engaging Indigenous Knowledge Systems for Island Eco-Tourism Governance
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31305/rrijm.2026.v11.n09.001Keywords:
Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS), Eco-Tourism Governance, Socio-ecological Resilience, Socio-ecological resilience theories, Traditional knowledge, Indigenous peoplesAbstract
The island destination becomes a crucial paradigm for the sustainable tourism development process, which needs to be balanced between sensitive socio-ecological ecosystems and an increasing number of tourists. Whereas conventional eco-tourism governance systems are characterized by the dominance of top-down, Western-style conservation policies, such systems tend to neglect the traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples. The main objective of this conceptual research paper is to develop a system of governance that includes Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) in the development of eco-tourism in islands. Based on non-Western ecological paradigms and socio-ecological resilience theories, this research paper demonstrates the way of using the traditional knowledge and practice to solve problems of island sustainability, such as biodiversity destruction, lack of freshwater, etc.
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