Promoting Local Sustainable Development Through Tourism Governance: Advancing Decent Work and Economic Growth Implementing the Eighth Sustainable Development Goal in Wakatobi, Indonesia

Tourism plays an important role in promoting local sustainable development, particularly in regions with strong cultural identity and significant natural heritage. In Wakatobi, Indonesia, efforts to advance tourism as a driver of decent work and inclusive economic growth in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8 have encountered challenges, including top‐down policy structures, informal and insecure labor conditions, and limited institutional coordination. This study aims to examine how regional tourism governance can better contribute to decent job creation and sustainable economic outcomes through strengthened institutional evaluation and local community participation. A qualitative case study approach was used, drawing on semi-structured interviews with 25 stakeholders, analysis of policy documents and local news, and field observations. Thematic analysis using NVivo 12 Plus identified key issues such as the dominance of concerns related to labor rights and safety (11.53%), minimal attention to youth employment (3.23%), weak policy implementation (5.6%), and a persistent imbalance between economic productivity narratives and social protection efforts. These findings suggest that tourism governance mechanisms require more contextual, participatory, and community-centered approaches. Strengthening institutional capacity and deepening local engagement are crucial to ensuring that tourism transformation meaningfully supports the achievement of SDG 8 and contributes to equitable and sustainable local development.