Passive Community Participation in the Development of Patakan Temple Historical Tourism in Lamongan

Illustration by AI

FORMOSA NEWS

A recent study published in July 2026 examines the typology of community involvement in the management of the Patakan Temple cultural heritage destination in Lamongan Regency. This research was conducted by a team of academics consisting of Eni Febrianti from Universitas Padjadjaran, Femi Asteriniah and Bambang Suprianto from Candradimuka Station, and Tolentino De Araujo from the National University of Timor Lorosa'e. The results of this research are crucial as they provide an in-depth evaluation of the quality of culture-based tourism governance so that it does not merely become a formality.

The culture-based tourism sector plays a strategic role in improving community welfare and preserving local identity. However, in practice, community involvement often stops only at the program implementation stage without giving residents space to participate in planning or decision-making. The gap between government policies and actual needs at the local level is a major challenge hindering tourism sustainability in various regions, including historical heritage sites.

To dissect this dynamic, the researchers used a qualitative approach based on a case study in Pataan Village, Lamongan Regency. Field data collection was carried out through direct observation, in-depth interviews with key informants, and visual documentation. All data was then analyzed using a thematic method with the help of qualitative analysis software to classify forms of resident involvement based on the theory of participation typology.

Based on field data analysis, several key findings were identified:

• Community involvement in the development of Patakan Temple tourism currently remains in the category of passive participation.
• Residents only receive information and execute programs that have been decided by external parties.
• Pataan Village residents actually possess very high awareness and enthusiasm to cooperate, maintain the cleanliness of the temple area, and support cultural festivals independently without any coercion.
• The main obstacles in the field are the absence of open discussion spaces and the minimal authority and power for the community to be actively involved as planners or strategic decision-makers.

These findings carry major implications for the formulation of more inclusive and sustainable regional tourism development policies. Eni Febrianti alongside the research team from Universitas Padjadjaran, Candradimuka Station, and the National University of Timor Lorosa'e emphasize that local governments need to expand public participation space from mere technical implementers to equal partners in tourism governance planning. By shifting the approach pattern from passive to interactive or independent, the preservation of historical sites not only boosts tourist visits but also provides equitable economic and social benefits for local residents.

Author Profile

• Eni Febrianti: Researcher and academic at the Department of Public Administration, Universitas Padjadjaran, Indonesia.
• Femi Asteriniah: Researcher from Candradimuka Station, Indonesia.
• Bambang Suprianto: Researcher from Candradimuka Station, Indonesia.
• Tolentino De Araujo: Academic from the National University of Timor Lorosa'e.

Research Source:

• Article Title: Typology of Community Participation in the Development of Patakan Temple in Lamongan Regency
• Journal Name: Contemporary Journal of Applied Sciences (CJAS), Vol. 4, No. 7, July 2026
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/cjas.v4i7.201