Journal of Tourism Economics and Policy
Vol. 6 No. 2 (2026): Journal of Tourism Economics and Policy (April – June 2026) - In Press

Lava Tour Merapi and Community Economic Welfare: A Structural Analysis of Community-Based Tourism in Umbulharjo Village, Yogyakarta

Khadafi, Muammar (Unknown)
Eddyono, Fauziah (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
30 Apr 2026

Abstract

The growth of post-disaster tourism in disaster-prone areas of Mount Merapi, particularly through Lava Tour activities, demonstrates considerable economic potential for local communities. However, the actual contribution to improving community welfare has not been extensively examined empirically. This study aims to analyze the impact of Lava Tour Merapi activities on household income and community welfare in Umbulharjo Village, Sleman. The research employed a quantitative approach with an associative survey design involving 100 Lava Tour stakeholders, including jeep drivers, homestay managers, culinary entrepreneurs, and souvenir vendors. Data were analyzed using the Structural Equation Modeling-Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) method with SmartPLS software. The findings reveal that all dimensions of Lava Tour activities significantly influence the increase in community income, with the highest contributions coming from souvenir businesses and homestays. Nevertheless, the increase in income has not had a significant impact on community welfare, particularly in aspects of education and retirement savings. These findings highlight the need for broader policy interventions, such as institutional support, access to capital, and community capacity building. It is recommended that community-based tourism management in disaster-prone areas involve institutions such as Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) to ensure sustainability and equitable distribution of benefits.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

jtep

Publisher

Subject

Economics, Econometrics & Finance Public Health Social Sciences

Description

The Journal of Tourism Economics and Policy is published biannually and published in March and November. JTEP also uses the LOCKSS system to ensure a secure and permanent archive for the journal. Concerned with the complex interactions between development and the environment, its purpose is to seek ...