Presenting a Tri Hita Karana-based empowerment approach for managing sustainable tourism villages

Managing sustainable tourism villages requires a holistic approach to balance economic, ecological, and socio-cultural aspects. The main challenge is how to empower local communities so they not only enjoy economic benefits but also actively preserve nature and culture. In this context, the Tri Hita Karana philosophy—derived from Balinese local wisdom—offers a relevant conceptual foundation. This philosophy emphasizes three harmonious relationships: humans with God (Parahyangan), humans with each other (Pawongan), and humans with nature (Palemahan). The application of this principle in community empowerment is expected to create tourism village management that is not only economically sustainable but also maintains the integrity of the ecosystem and spiritual-cultural values. Based on a literature review, this study proposes a Tri Hita Karana-based empowerment model structured into four stages. The first stage is strengthening community spirituality and morality through education and joint religious activities. The second stage focuses on strengthening social and economic relationships through skills training, entrepreneurship development, and facilitating mutual cooperation. The third phase focuses on environmental preservation through ecological awareness programs, natural resource conservation, and sustainable practices such as ecotourism. The fourth phase represents a synergistic integration of these three aspects, supported by holistic monitoring and multi-stakeholder partnerships. This model is expected to achieve a balanced approach to economic development, social cohesion, and environmental concerns. However, this model remains conceptual and requires further empirical validation through field studies to be effectively adapted to diverse local contexts.