Tourism and Cultural Justice: Protecting Local Heritage from Exploitation in Indonesia’s Tourism Boom

Adrian Eka Saputra (University of Sydney)

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

Indonesia’s tourism boom has placed significant pressure on the preservation of its cultural heritage, as local customs, traditions, and landmarks are increasingly commodified for tourist consumption. This paper explores the tension between tourism development and cultural justice, specifically in regions like Yogyakarta, Borobudur, and Bali, where local heritage sites are under threat from mass tourism. The study examines the ways in which tourism contributes to the commodification and exploitation of indigenous cultures, undermining the authenticity of cultural expressions and practices. Through a combination of fieldwork, interviews with cultural preservationists, and analysis of tourism policies, this paper highlights the lack of legal and ethical protections for cultural heritage in tourism planning. The paper proposes a model for cultural justice in tourism, advocating for the recognition of local communities as custodians of their cultural heritage and the implementation of policies that promote sustainable tourism practices while protecting cultural identity.