Mapping the Architecture of Community Involvement in Traditional Craft Village Tourism: A Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract

The intersection of traditional craft villages and tourism has emerged as a critical domain for both rural revitalization and cultural heritage preservation. While tourism acts as an economic catalyst, unchecked development frequently leads to cultural commodification and the marginalization of local artisans. Consequently, community involvement is recognized as an essential structural mechanism for sustainable tourism. This study presents a systematic bibliometric analysis of 731 Scopus articles published between 2015 and 2025 to map the evolutionary trajectory of this academic domain. Using descriptive and science mapping techniques, the analysis tracks the transition of rural tourism research from isolated case studies to complex empirical frameworks. These frameworks position community empowerment as a crucial mediating variable connecting tourism development to ultimate tourist satisfaction. Results reveal an exponential surge in publications, with 2024 and 2025 accounting for over 45% of the decade's output. Geographically, empirical work is concentrated in emerging economies, where state-led artisan initiatives intersect with local execution. Thematic analysis reveals a recent literature shift toward power dynamics, localized equity, and genuine participation, contrasting with earlier top-down heritage management logistics. Synthesizing these documents exposes critical methodological gaps. The field requires a fundamental shift toward rigorous mixed-methods designs, specifically combining qualitative community assessments with quantitative tourist metrics to mathematically validate how active participation authentically drives destination success.