Sustainable modeling of community-centered ecotourism in Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania: A digital resource and capacity building framework

A growing interest is evident in the utilization of digital resources (DR) and community capacity building (CCB) as methods to foster sustainable ecotourism, especially in regions that are environmentally sensitive and socio-economically vulnerable. However, the interplay of these components in facilitating inclusive, effective, and enduring sustainability in land-use contexts is not yet fully understood. This study employs a combination of Stakeholder Theory (ST) and the Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) framework to examine the role of DR in sustainable ecotourism development (SED) and the mediating impact of CCB. Using hierarchical partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) on survey data from tourism SMEs in Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA), the findings indicate that DR significantly improves sustainability outcomes both directly and indirectly. CCB serves as a vital partial mediator in this relationship. These results emphasize the need for policy frameworks that support digitally empowered and locally managed ecotourism models. The study recommends targeted investments in community-oriented digital infrastructure and participatory planning processes that incorporate local knowledge, providing practical guidance for policymakers seeking to align ecotourism development with broader sustainability goals.