Digital Pathways to Sustainable Tourism Indonesia Insights: Study case Bilebante Village

This Article explores the role of digitalisation and transport accessibility in supporting sustainable tourism development in Bilebante Green Tourism Village, Lombok, Indonesia. Selected as part of the Special Economic Zone initiative, Bilebante has demonstrated success in implementing eco-friendly and community-based tourism, as evidenced by a significant increase in visitor numbers over the past five years. Using a qualitative research design, data was collected through in-depth interviews with local stakeholders, tourist surveys, and document analysis. Thematic coding was used to analyse the qualitative data. The findings show that digitalisation improves access to tourism information, increases operational efficiency for local businesses, and encourages community engagement. However, challenges such as limited digital infrastructure and unequal access to technology still exist. The study also highlights the importance of investment in transport infrastructure to improve physical accessibility. Practical recommendations include strengthening digital infrastructure, implementing digital education programs for locals, and utilising SEO and social media strategies to promote the village. Limitations of this study include the focus on a single case and reliance on qualitative data, so future research could incorporate comparative or quantitative approaches. This article provides fresh perspective into the intersection between digital transformation and sustainable tourism in rural Indonesia, which are invaluable to policy-makers, tourism practitioners, and educators aiming to foster inclusive and resilient tourism development.