Understanding the Non-Digital Gig Economy in the Tourism Sector of Lemukutan Island
Keywords:
Non-digital gig economy social capital community-based tourism Lemukutan Island informal economy social trustAbstract
This study aims to understand the forms, characteristics, and working mechanisms of the non-digital gig economy in the tourism sector of Lemukutan Island, Bengkayang Regency, West Kalimantan. Unlike the conventional gig economy model based on digital platforms such as GoJek, Grab, or Airbnb, the working system in Lemukutan is formed organically through social networks, kinship, and verbal communication between residents and tourists. The research method used was a qualitative approach with a case study type, through in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and documentation of local tourism actors such as homestay owners, boat service providers, tour guides, and seasonal traders. The results of the study show that the gig economy in Lemukutan operates based on social capital in the form of trust, reputation, and mutual cooperation norms. Jobs are obtained through social recommendations, not digital algorithms, and are regulated through flexible informal agreements. The dominant forms of work include tourist transportation services, local accommodation, home-cooked meals, tour guiding, and seasonal trading. This system provides adaptive and participatory economic opportunities, but also faces challenges in the form of dependence on the tourist season, limited digital infrastructure, and unequal access to social networks. This study confirms that the gig economy is not always synonymous with digitalisation, but can grow in a local context based on social trust. Therefore, the non-digital gig economy in Lemukutan reflects a humanistic, resilient form of community-based gig work that has the potential to become an alternative economic model in sustainable tourism.
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