SOCIAL DEPRIVATION OF VULNERABLE GROUPS IN LABUAN BAJO TOURISM DEVELOPMENT
Abstract
Tourism development in Labuan Bajo has attracted widespread attention as one of Indonesia's
leading tourist destinations. However, behind the rapid growth of the tourism sector,
fundamental questions arise about its impact on vulnerable groups in the local community. This
research examines the social impact of tourism development on vulnerable groups in Labuan
Bajo, focusing on social deprivation. The research method used is qualitative, collecting data
through in-depth interviews, observation, and document analysis. The results show that although
tourism development brings significant economic benefits to most communities, vulnerable
groups such as traditional fishermen, small farmers, and indigenous people are often
marginalized. They experience loss of access to natural resources, such as land and sea, which
were previously their main sources of livelihood. In addition, social changes due to the influx of
outside cultures have also exacerbated their conditions, with increasing social inequality and
declining quality of life. On the other hand, there are also mitigation efforts through community
empowerment programs, although the impact is still limited. This research concludes that
tourism development in Labuan Bajo can be a blessing for some, but also a curse for vulnerable
groups if not balanced with inclusive and sustainable policies. Therefore, a more equitable
development approach that is sensitive to the needs of vulnerable groups is needed to ensure that
all levels of society can feel the benefits of tourism.