A Sustainable Community-based Tourism Digital Innovation Framework: Conceptualising Holistic Tourism Development

This paper introduces the Sustainable Community-Based Tourism Digital Innovation Framework (SCBT-DIF), a conceptual model that integrates sustainability principles with digital innovation to advance community-based tourism (CBT). The framework addresses notable gaps in the literature by offering a holistic, dynamic strategy for tourism development that considers economic, social and environmental dimensions simultaneously. Motivated by the growing demand for comprehensive approaches to sustainable tourism, the study explores the complexities of CBT and underscores the transformative role of digital technologies in enhancing visitor experiences and community benefits. Employing a conceptual methodology, it synthesizes theoretical insights with global best practices, drawing on examples from multiple continents to illustrate the framework’s versatility and potential impact. The proposed SCBTDIF highlights promising pathways for reshaping CBT into a more sustainable, inclusive and digitally empowered sector. By bridging sustainability imperatives and technological innovation, the framework serves as a strategic blueprint for revitalizing CBT practices and ensuring long-term benefits for local communities and stakeholders. The implications of this study are far-reaching: policymakers can leverage SCBT-DIF to design informed tourism policies, practitioners can adopt its principles to improve operational effectiveness and communities can utilize it to enhance local participation and economic resilience. Ultimately, this framework advances tourism research and practice while pointing to fruitful directions for future studies on innovation and sustainability in the tourism sector.