Communication system for community-based tourism development in Magelang district

This study explores the development communication system in the context of Community-Based Tourism (CBT) in Magelang Regency, focusing on three tourism villages near Borobudur Temple: Candirejo, Wanurejo, and Karangrejo. Using a qualitative case study approach and a constructivist paradigm, the research applies Luhmann’s social systems theory to analyze three dimensions of meaning: social, temporal, and functional. Data were collected through observation, in-depth interviews, and FGDs. The social dimension highlights how communication constructs the boundaries and identity of tourism village social systems. The temporal dimension reveals the system’s evolutionary process through variation, selection, and restabilization. The functional dimension examines how the system differentiates into specialized subsystems and each operating under its own communication logic. Findings indicate that CBT faces multiple crises, including social tensions, economic inequality, and environmental pressures. These crises underline the need for adaptive communication strategies to strengthen system resilience. Each village demonstrates a unique governance model, shaped by communication dynamics, power relations, and decision-making processes. Interactions among stakeholders play a central role in constructing meaning and managing CBT complexity. This study contributes to the field of development communication by emphasizing the importance of self-referential, autopoietic, and adaptive communication systems in navigating the complexity of sustainable CBT development.