COMMUNITY-BASED TOURISM AND WAQF: MEASURING SOCIAL IMPACT AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION

Abstract

This study explores the integration of Community-Based Tourism (CBT) and waqf to generate social impact and foster socio-economic transformation in local communities. CBT promotes local participation in sustainable tourism, while waqf serves as a philanthropic financing mechanism in Islamic social finance. Utilizing a quantitative approach with Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) on data from 210 community members, the findings indicate that CBT enhances community participation and empowerment, and waqf aids infrastructure development and financial sustainability. Both factors positively influence social impact and socio-economic outcomes, explaining 68% of the variance in socio-economic results. The research proposes a CBT–waqf model as a sustainable development strategy that bolsters local economies, promotes social equity, and preserves cultural heritage, contributing to the literature on Islamic social finance and sustainable tourism.