Eco-Tourism Development in Oil Palm Landscapes: A Review of Agroforestry as a Catalyst for Sustainable Destination Innovation

Judijanto L

Published on: 2026-03-16

Abstract

The widespread expansion of oil palm monocultures across tropical regions has led to significant ecological degradation, biodiversity loss, and socio-economic imbalances. In response, integrating agroforestry practices into oil palm plantations has emerged as a promising strategy to restore landscape multifunctionality and support alternative livelihoods, particularly through eco-tourism development. This study aims to explore the potential of agroforestry in oil palm plantations as a basis for sustainable eco-tourism models in tropical production zones. Employing a qualitative research approach, this study uses the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method, guided by the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) framework. Scientific literature was collected exclusively from the ScienceDirect database using refined Boolean search strings. Data collection involved multi-stage screening based on publication year (2024–2025), article type (research articles), and accessibility (open access/open archive), yielding 38 eligible peer-reviewed studies. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify ecological, economic, social, and governance dimensions relevant to agroforestry-based eco-tourism. Findings reveal that integrating agroforestry enhances biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and income diversification, while also strengthening community-based tourism and environmental stewardship. However, success depends on secure land tenure, technical capacity, inclusive governance, and supportive cross-sectoral policy frameworks. In conclusion, agroforestry within oil palm systems presents a viable path for eco-tourism innovation and landscape sustainability. Future research should empirically test these models across varied ecological contexts and policy regimes to validate their scalability and effectiveness.