Tourism Entrepreneurial Ecosystems and Sustainable Destination Development: An Integrative Review of Embeddedness, Alignment, and Relational Dynamics

Dika Dwi Kurniawan; Moh. Salman Al Farisi

doi:10.58258/tim.pp43t366

Authors

Dika Dwi Kurniawan Akademi Bisnis Lombok Author
Moh. Salman Al Farisi Akademi Bisnis Lombok Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58258/tim.pp43t366

Keywords:

Tourism entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurial ecosystem, Embeddedness, Ecosystem alignment, Sustainable destination development

Abstract

Tourism entrepreneurship is increasingly understood as an embedded and ecosystem-based phenomenon in which entrepreneurial activities are shaped by institutional, relational, resource-based, and place-specific conditions. However, existing studies remain fragmented across different theoretical perspectives, with limited integration of how ecosystem conditions interact to produce sustainable or unsustainable destination development outcomes. This study aims to synthesize the theoretical perspectives and mechanisms linking tourism entrepreneurial ecosystems with sustainable destination development. A qualitative integrative literature review was conducted using a Scopus-based search strategy. From 90 retrieved records, 77 unique records were identified after deduplication, followed by relevance screening and focused theoretical extraction. Thirteen studies were selected as the core analytical corpus, while additional studies were retained as supporting literature. The synthesis identified six interconnected dimensions: institutional embeddedness, relational embeddedness, place-based embeddedness, governance coordination, resource and capability mobilisation, and sustainability-oriented value creation. The findings further suggest that ecosystem alignment represents a useful integrative mechanism through which these conditions may reinforce entrepreneurial processes and sustainable value creation. Conversely, low alignment, relational fragmentation, institutional conflict, and unequal resource access may contribute to contested and unsustainable outcomes. The study develops an integrative framework explaining alternative pathways from embeddedness and ecosystem configuration toward sustainable destination development.

Abstract Views 5PDF Downloads 2

References

Altin, M. (2026). Entrepreneurial ecosystems in hospitality and tourism: A comparative analysis across economic contexts. Tourism Economics, 32(1), 85–104. https://doi.org/10.1177/13548166251332339

Bachinger, M., Kofler, I., & Pechlaner, H. (2022). Entrepreneurial ecosystems in tourism: An analysis of characteristics from a systems perspective. European Journal of Tourism Research, 31, 3113. https://doi.org/10.54055/ejtr.v31i.2490

Calisto, M. de L., Costa, T., Afonso, V. A., Nunes, C., & Umbelino, J. (2023). Local governance and entrepreneurship in tourism: A comparative analysis of two tourist destinations. Journal of Tourism and Services, 14(27), 22–38. https://doi.org/10.29036/jots.v14i27.404

Coelho de Souza Filho, J. J., Gadotti dos Anjos, S. J., dos Anjos, F. A., & Kuhn, V. R. (2025). Tourism innovation ecosystems: Insights from theory and empirical validation. Tourism and Hospitality, 6(5), 272. https://doi.org/10.3390/tourhosp6050272

Costa, T., Calisto, M. de L., Nunes, S., & Dias, M. (2023). A literature review on networks and sustainable development in sea tourism entrepreneurship. Sustainability, 15(3), 2135. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15032135

Garzón, I., García-Sánchez, M.-R., & Casanueva, C. (2026). Network resource mobilisation process in tourism social entrepreneurship ecosystems. Journal of Travel Research. https://doi.org/10.1177/00472875261428102

Jackson, L. A. (2026). Community-based tourism entrepreneurial ecosystems for the Sustainable Development Goals: Tackling grand societal challenges in emerging economies. Sustainability, 18(5), 2389. https://doi.org/10.3390/su18052389

Köseoglu, M. A. (2026). How does the entrepreneurship ecosystem foster tourism competitiveness? Tourism Economics, 32(3), 542–569. https://doi.org/10.1177/13548166251341021

Lopez, T., Noguera, M., & Urbano, D. (2025). Institutional dimensions and tourism entrepreneurship: A multilevel study. Management Research. https://doi.org/10.1108/MRJIAM-01-2025-1675

Manalu, S. A., Simatupang, T. M., & Novani, S. (2024). Tourism entrepreneurship research: A mixed embeddedness approach. Cogent Business & Management, 11(1), 2418421. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2024.2418421

Mungure, J. S., & Kalwani, J. D. (2025). Rural tourism entrepreneurship skills and knowledge as strategy for poverty reduction: A case of Bagamoyo District, Tanzania. Pan-African Journal of Business Management, 9(1), 95–113. https://doi.org/10.61538/pajbm.v9i1.1643

Philipp, J., Thees, H., Olbrich, N., & Pechlaner, H. (2022). Towards an ecosystem of hospitality: The dynamic future of destinations. Sustainability, 14(2), 821. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14020821

Ridanpää, R. (2025). Framework for regenerative entrepreneurship in tourism: Fostering reciprocal relationships within place. Tourism Geographies, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616688.2025.2535690

Ridanpää, R., & Amore, A. (2025). Principles and driving factors of regenerative tourism entrepreneurship. Current Issues in Tourism, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2025.2590594

Saha, P., Kimbu, A. N., & Williams, A. M. (2026). Relational fragmentation in tourism entrepreneurial ecosystems: Linking configurations, dynamics, and outcomes. Tourism Management, 116, 105441. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2026.105441

Spigel, B. (2017). The relational organization of entrepreneurial ecosystems. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 41(1), 49–72. https://doi.org/10.1111/etap.12167

Stam, E., & van de Ven, A. (2021). Entrepreneurial ecosystem elements. Small Business Economics, 56(2), 809–832. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-019-00270-6

Teruel-Sanchez, R., Briones-Peñalver, A. J., Bernal-Conesa, J. A., & de Nieves-Nieto, C. (2025). Values of the entrepreneur as a driver of sustainable tourism entrepreneurship. Journal of International Entrepreneurship, 23, 648–676. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10843-025-00381-0

Utami, D. D., Dhewanto, W., & Lestari, Y. D. (2023). Rural tourism entrepreneurship success factors for sustainable tourism village: Evidence from Indonesia. Cogent Business & Management, 10(1), 2180845. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2023.2180845

Wang, X., Huang, Y., & Huang, K. (2024). How does social entrepreneurship achieve sustainable development goals in rural tourism destinations? The role of legitimacy and social capital. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 33(7), 1262–1280. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2024.2309546

Xiang, F. (2025). The impact of rural tourism entrepreneurs' hometown identity on entrepreneurial persistence. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, 1513420. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1513420

Yachin, J. M. (2025). From project to venture: Facilitating engagement and entrepreneurship in rural tourism. Tourism Geographies, 27(6), 1210–1231. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616688.2025.2519331

Zeng, X., Li, Y., Zhang, C., & Yang, X. (2024). Sustainable entrepreneurship in tourism: The interaction between tourism enterprise and community. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 60, 429–440. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhtm.2024.09.001