<![CDATA[Conservation-based ecotourism development requires the involvement of local communities so that the economic benefits of tourism activities can go hand in hand with environmental sustainability. Situ Gunung, Sukabumi Regency, is an ecotourism area that involves local communities in various tourism service and conservation activities. This study aims to analyze the role of local communities in supporting conservation-based ecotourism, identify forms of community participation in maintaining environmental sustainability, and analyze the supporting and inhibiting factors affecting community involvement. This study employed a descriptive method with a qualitative approach and was conducted in June 2026. A total of 16 informants were selected through purposive sampling. The results showed that local communities play a role in the hospitality supply chain by providing culinary services, local transportation, tour guiding, and equipment rental. Communities are also involved in destination governance and security through partnerships, patrols, and monitoring, as well as in cleanliness and conservation through waste collection, communal activities, and conservation initiatives. Community participation takes the forms of spontaneous and induced participation. Supporting factors include economic opportunities, tourists’ needs, local knowledge, environmental awareness, and partnerships, while inhibiting factors include limited access to business opportunities, licensing requirements, competency requirements, limited monitoring capacity, and tourist behavior involving littering. Therefore, strengthening community capacity, expanding access to business opportunities, improving competencies, and strengthening coordination between local communities and destination managers are necessary to achieve sustainable ecotourism.]]>
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