Managing Sustainable Tourism for Tourist Satisfaction: Evidence from Tropical Destination in Indonesia

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of four key dimensions of sustainable tourism—environmental, institutional, socio-cultural, and economic sustainability—on tourist satisfaction in two of Indonesia’s leading tropical destinations: Bali and Lombok. Using a quantitative explanatory approach and data from 210 domestic and international tourists, the research applies Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) via WarpPLS 6.0. The findings reveal that socio-cultural and economic sustainability have a significant positive impact on tourist satisfaction. Tourists value authentic cultural interactions, local community involvement, and the perceived economic benefits their visit generates. In contrast, environmental and institutional sustainability do not significantly affect satisfaction, suggesting a gap between destination-level sustainability practices and tourists’ direct perceptions. These findings highlight the importance of integrating sustainability efforts into tangible tourist experience and underscore the need for better communication and visibility of sustainability initiatives. The study contributes to the literature by offering empirical insights into how sustainability dimensions shape satisfaction in tropical tourism contexts and provides practical recommendations for destination managers aiming to enhance sustainable tourism strategies.