Fostering Urban Tourism Through Collaboration: The Case of Binong Creative Tourism Village

Abstract

This study explores the collaborative process behind the development of Binong Creative Tourism Village in Bandung, Indonesia—an urban tourism initiative that revitalizes local identity through community-based creative industries. Situated in a former home-based knitting hub, Binong has transformed into a tourism destination through multi-stakeholder engagement involving local government, community groups, tourism managers, private sector actors, and academics. Using a qualitative case study approach, data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with six key stakeholders, direct observations, and document analysis. The collaborative process was examined using Agranoff and McGuire’s model, which emphasizes communication, added value, and deliberation in multi-actor governance. The findings reveal that sustained communication between policy actors and community members is essential for fostering trust and shared objectives. Collaborative efforts led to tangible public value, such as increased employment, empowerment of marginalized groups including persons with disabilities, and the enhancement of local cultural identity. Deliberation among stakeholders supported mutual learning and innovation, including the adoption of circular economy practices by transforming plastic waste into knitting materials. This study contributes to the understanding of collaborative governance in urban tourism, particularly in the context of developing countries. It highlights how creative tourism villages can serve as platforms for inclusive development, participatory planning, and social innovation. The case of Binong demonstrates that local capacity and collective action are critical components in building sustainable, community-driven urban tourism destinations.

Keywords: Urban tourism, collaboration, community-based tourism