Challenges and Opportunities in Local Sustainable Tourism: A Systematic Review Focusing on Community Participation and Regional Development

Abstract

Sustainable local tourism is positioned as a key tool for balancing economic, social, and environmental development in local communities, promoting the active participation of their inhabitants. This study presents a systematic review focused on the challenges and opportunities of sustainable local tourism, with emphasis on community participation and regional development. The main trends and gaps in the literature were identified through a bibliometric analysis of 28 relevant studies published between 2020 and 2025.The findings highlight the benefits of community-based tourism, such as employment generation, economic diversification, cultural preservation, and strengthening of the social fabric. However, significant challenges remain, including the lack of community organization, limited access to financial resources, and ineffective public policies. In addition, it became evident that community participation and local empowerment are fundamental to ensure the sustainability and equity of these initiatives. This paper offers practical recommendations to overcome structural barriers and maximize the positive impacts of sustainable local tourism. It also proposes integrative strategies that promote participatory governance and cooperation between public and private actors. This study contributes to knowledge about the transformative role of sustainable tourism in local communities, providing a basis for future research and action in the field of sustainable development.