Justice for the Displaced: The Case of Indigenous Communities Affected by the Development of Tourism Zones in Papua

Nayori Wairu Ananta (Universitas Cendrawasih)
Kavena Wairu Pradipta (Australian National University)

Indonesian Tourism Justice Review
Vol. 2 No. 4 (2025): December, 2025

In recent years, the rapid expansion of tourism zones in Papua has led to the displacement of indigenous communities, raising critical concerns regarding land rights and justice. This paper explores how large-scale tourism developments, including resorts, leisure facilities, and tourist attractions, have resulted in the loss of ancestral lands for indigenous peoples in Papua. The research examines the legal, social, and cultural implications of these developments, assessing the extent to which local communities are compensated or consulted in the planning process. Through a combination of field interviews with displaced community members, legal analysis, and case studies of land disputes, this paper highlights the systemic issues within Indonesia’s tourism policies that undermine indigenous land rights. The study advocates for stronger legal protections, greater consultation with indigenous communities, and the integration of indigenous perspectives in tourism development projects to ensure justice and respect for traditional land tenure systems.