Social media influencers significantly shape travel trends and traveler behavior in the digital era. This study explores the dual role of social media influencers in the sustainable tourism landscape: whether they function primarily as trendsetters promoting ethical and responsible travel practices or as sellers of destination dreams who commercialize sustainability through aspirational content on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.Through qualitative content analysis and in-depth interviews with influencers and their followers, the research identifies messaging patterns, perceived authenticity, and the extent to which sustainability is embedded in influencer branding. Research findings show that although influencers often position themselves as sustainability ambassadors, their content prioritizes visual appeal and personal branding over actual environmental or social responsibility. The study concludes that most influencers are closer to the role of destination dream sellers, contributing to the commercialization of sustainable tourism ideas. This study contributes to the discourse on the impact of digital media on sustainable tourism development, offering policymakers, tourism marketers, content creators, and digital media consumers important insights to evaluate influencer-driven messages on sustainable tourism and align influencer marketing with global sustainability goals.
The increasing implementation of sustainability practices in the hospitality industry reflects a commitment to environmental responsibility. However, sustainability symbols often serve as visual elements whose meaning is not fully understood by hotel guests. This study explores how guests' repeated experiences influence their interpretation of sustainability symbols at the Grand Mercure Malang Mirama Hotel. Using a qualitative research design, this study combines Peircean semiotic analysis with the photo elicitation method. The data consist of 20 sustainability-related signs identified through observation and in-depth interviews with 7 domestic guests who stayed for at least 2 nights. Data were collected through systematic observation, and interviews were analyzed using Peirce's triadic semiosis framework, with deductive and inductive reasoning to explore emotional, energetic, and ultimate interpretants. Findings indicate that sustainability indicators, such as eco-friendly symbols, energy efficiency, and documented environmental activities, are more effective at driving shifts toward energetic and ultimate interpretants. Conversely, symbolic signs such as sustainability certifications trigger emotional responses and visual impressions, often leading to interpretive ambiguity. This study contributes to the fields of sustainability communication and hospitality studies and expands Peirce's semiotics in the context of sustainability in the hospitality industry in Indonesia.
This study aims to uncover the commodification of residents' living spaces in Kampung Kayutangan, Malang City, through the transformation of old houses into heritage tourism attractions. The change of the village into a tourist destination shifts the function of houses from domestic space to tourist consumption space. This study offers a novel approach by shifting the focus of heritage tourism studies from a predominance of architectural and physical analysis of buildings to the lived experiences, power relations, and social consequences experienced by residents inhabiting the spaces surrounding heritage buildings that have been developed as tourist destinations. This study aims to analyze the social dynamics in heritage tourism practices, particularly the exclusion of local narratives and the ambivalence between lived space and display space. This study draws on Michael Herzfeld's (2015) thinking on heritage and power to examine commodification, knowledge inequality, and the tension between preservation and economic exploitation. The method used is qualitative with a case study approach through observation, interviews, and documentation. The results of the study show the dominance of official narratives by authorized actors, as well as the commodification of old houses, which affects changes in social practices, the disruption of private space, and latent conflicts at the community level. This study confirms that heritage tourism is an arena for negotiating meaning, identity, and power in urban spaces.
Marine-based community tourism depends heavily on effective ecological management, yet the role of the green marketing mix in this context remains insufficiently examined. This study addresses this gap by analyzing survey data from 321 visitors to Pahawang Island Tourism Village, Indonesia. Using multiple linear regression analysis, the findings indicate that green product, attributes, pricing strategies, distribution channels, and promotional activities jointly enhance destination sustainability. The result emphasizes the importance of an integrated green marketing strategy in supporting the triple bottom line, namely, environmental conservation, social well-being, and economic resilience. By capturing supply-side dynamics in a developing-country context, this study offers empirical insights for policymakers and local destination managers to improve sustainable tourism governance.
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted various sectors of the economy worldwide, including the tourism sector. The UNWTO (2020) reported that international tourist arrivals declined significantly by around 60-80% in 2020. As one of the regions in West Java Province that excels in the tourism sector, Pangandaran Regency was also affected. Based on the value of Gross Regional Domestic Product at Constant Prices in the accommodation and food and beverage supply sector, there is a decline of -2.32% in 2020 and a slight increase to 3.12% in 2021. However, it has not recovered as it did in 2019, when the rate was 9.28%. This study aims to investigate how MSMEs, specifically UMKM tourism business actors, in the Pangandaran Coastal Area have survived the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. The method employed is deductive research, which involves collecting data by distributing questionnaires to 160 respondents from MSMEs in the tourism sector of the Pangandaran coastal area, using a purposive sampling technique, and applying risk management analysis. The results of this study show that most business actors closed temporarily due to the PPKM policy, while others adjusted their selling times, and some changed the type of business they offered. The most considerable and significant risk is the income component, which includes the number of visitors, the scarcity of funds, and the limited time available to sell. Meanwhile, the scarcity of capital goods, the number of workers, the health of sellers, and the health of human resources are relatively unaffected. The COVID-19 pandemic is the first pandemic to have occurred in this area in the last decade; there is no single research study on this topic prior to its emergence. The government and all the business actors are still figuring out the best way to keep their economy running.
Natural sacred sites are areas that possess cultural and spiritual significance within the community. The village forest around the Sumber Sirah is a natural sacred site. Currently, part of the forest area has changed its function to become a tourist area integrated with spring tourism. This may lead to changes in the structure and composition of the vegetation in the area. The purpose of this study was to analyze the structure of the vegetation composition between natural and changed vegetation for tourism activities. This research was conducted in Putukrejo Village, Gondanglegi District, Malang Regency, East Java. Data collection was carried out by making 20 x 20 m2 sample plots for vegetation that has a tree habitus. 10 x 10 m2 for pole habitus, 5 x 5 m2 for sapling habitus, 2 x 2 m2 for seedling habitus and herb/ground cover. The results of the vegetation analysis then determine the importance value index (IVI), Shannon-Weiner index (H'), evenness index (E'), dominance index (id), and endemism (End). Based on the research results, the composition of plants differs between natural areas and tourist areas. Specifically, 35 species were identified in the natural area, while 20 species were found in the tourist area. The value of endemism in areas that are still natural for all habitus is in the high category, where the vegetation composition is generally found in lowland forests. In contrast, the composition of tourist areas is dominated by cultivated plants and some introduced species. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index, both natural and tourist, is in the moderate category. The evenness index falls within the moderate to high category, and the dominance index is classified as high.
This study aims to analyze Generation Z's interest in herbal medicine as part of the development of health tourism in Indonesia. Supported by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy and the Ministry of Health, wellness and herbal tourism has become one of the focuses in strengthening health tourism. The research method used is a descriptive qualitative approach with a purposive sampling technique. The sources consisted of ten herbal medicine producers and ten Gen Z individuals in the city of Bandung. The results of the study show that most Gen Z individuals are familiar with herbal medicine and understand its health benefits. However, there is still a stigma associated with herbal medicine, which is often perceived as having a bitter taste and being a drink for older people. Herbal medicine producers, such as Minuman Rempah Indonesia, have innovated by adding natural sweeteners to attract Gen Z. The gap in this study lies in the low interest of Gen Z in herbal medicine, despite the many innovations in taste made by producers. This study emphasizes the importance of continuous innovation in herbal medicine production to strengthen its position in the health tourism sector.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a global action plan agreed upon by world leaders, including Indonesia, to end poverty, reduce inequality, and protect the environment. Realize the SDGs are strongly influenced by economic, social, and environmental indicators. The balance between economic, social, and environmental is the goal of sustainable development. The success of development is determined by the quality of human beings, which consists of women and men. We can use the Gender Development Index (GDI) to measure the quality of human development based on gender. The gender gap will affect the quality of development. Provinces that have many coastal villages have a high gender gap. This study aims to analyze the sensitivity of the gender development index in realizing sustainable coastal rural development. Data obtained from coastal rural experts. Data analysis using multipolicy. The results show that the gender development index has a high sensitivity in realizing sustainable development in coastal villages. It is evident from the results of the analysis that the position of the gender development index ranks first in achieving the success of sustainable development in coastal villages. Suggestions for research: it is necessary to increase the gender development index strategy. The trick is to manage the indicators that make up the GDI, where the progress of each indicator for women cannot be lower than for men. At a minimum, the progress of women's resources is the same as that of men, so their GDI will increase. Keywords: Coastal Rural, Gender Development Index, Sustainable Development.
This article is the result of field research conducted in Tegaren, a tourism village in Trenggalek, East Java, Indonesia. Tegaren has become a tourism village that consistently ranks among the top 500 in the Anugerah Desa Wisata Indonesia in 2022 and 2023. This study examines how tourism growth in Tegaren impacts the quality of life through homestays and small enterprises. As one of the outstanding tourism villages in Trenggalek, Tegaren has interesting tourism developments to study. By using interviews, observation, and literature studies, the authors collected data from several village representatives. The collected data is then interpreted using qualitative analysis methods. The results obtained were then verified using the Tourism Area Life Cycle (TALC) concept and the Better Life Index for measuring quality of life. Authors also use an asset-based community development (ABCD) approach to get qualitative data as accurately as possible. This article also presents the results of research by the authors, revealing that Tegaren people are directly affected by the growing tourism business in the village. These community components include besek farmers and homestay business owners or lodging accommodations in Tegaren. This study demonstrates how local ecotourism can improve the quality of life for residents. However, there is still much that needs to be improved in this study, which is expected to be carried out in further research.
Agropolitan is one of the regional development concepts used to overcome urbanization caused by development inequality and regional equity. The development of the Pujon District Agropolitan Area is expected to reduce development inequality and poverty levels. This research aims to identify superior commodities, assess sustainability, and develop appropriate strategies for developing the Pujon District into a prosperous Agropolitan area. Quantitative data is used in the research method. Location Quotient (LQ), Multidimensional Scaling (MDS), and SWOT analysis were used to analyze the data. According to the LQ analysis findings, the Pujon District's primary commodities are garlic, potatoes, cauliflower, large chilies, and carrots. Data analysis using MDS on the ecological, economic, socio-cultural, infrastructure, and technology dimensions, as well as the legal and institutional dimensions, reveals that they are "fairly sustainable." According to the findings of the SWOT analysis, the primary key to the strategy for developing agropolitan areas is determining the competitiveness of only commodities so that the higher quality and competitiveness of commodities will encourage the formation of select commodity markets and the formation of dynamic trading activities (marked by high demand from various regions outside the Pujon).
Tourism is one of the most strategic development sectors, with a direct or indirect multiplier effect that benefits a country's social, cultural, educational and economic sectors. The tourism sector plays an important role in improving the national economy, especially reducing unemployment and increasing state productivity. Pasuruan Regency has UPTD Cultivation of Cattle Sumberejo which receives funding from the government, but always loses money so the government redesigns the UPTD Cattle Cultivation area into Arjuno Agro Techno Park (AATP) as an eco and edutourism area, education and training, research center, and livestock cultivation. The Arjuno Agro Techno Park (AATP) area is supported by the existence of a number of natural tourist destinations, as well as coffee and durian plantations. The purpose of this study is to analyze opportunities for improving the sustainable development of Arjuno Agro Techno Park in Pasuruan Regency in an effort to support the revival of the tourism sector. The type of research used is a type of quantitative research with a descriptive approach. Data collection techniques using questionnaires, interviews and focus group discusion. The samples used are experts who have a lot of information and great strength for the sustainable development of Arjuno Agro Techno Park. The results indicate that six scenarios, namely formal education, training, livestock production, ICT, ecotourism and infrastructure, have great opportunities to support the realization of sustainable Arjuno Agro Techno Park (AATP) development in Pasuruan Regency.
The aquatic ecosystem in the Menala River has been degraded due to anthropogenic activities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the water quality in the Menala River based on water physicochemical and benthic macroinvertebrates as bioindicators. Water quality was evaluated at seven stations based on anthropogenic activities in the surrounding. The physicochemical parameters measured included water temperature, turbidity, electrical conductivity, pH, DO, TDS, BOD, nitrate, and total phosphate. Benthic macroinvertebrate data were used to determine the importance value index (IVI), Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H'), evenness index (E), Simpson dominance index (C), the average score per taxon index (ASPT), and family biotic index (FBI). The data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA, biplot, and correlation test using PCA. The research result indicated that the concentration of DO (5.97 – 11.7 mg.L-1) at each station only fulfilled in class 3 of water quality, BOD (2.83 – 4.03 mg.L-1) in class 2, and Total phosphate (0.03 – 0.23 mg.L-1) only meets class 3. Based on the H', FBI, and ASPT index, the first station was categorized as clean water, the second to fourth stations were categorized as good to fairly poor, and the fifth to seventh stations were categorized as lightly polluted to probable severe pollution.
Mangrove ecosystems are generally found in all coastal areas of Indonesia, which are affected by tides and inundate these ecosystems along the coast. The function of the mangrove ecosystem as ecotourism is an alternative that can be developed in coastal areas. The purpose of this study was to identify the diversity of flora and fauna, determine the allocation of mangrove ecosystem land for ecotourism and determine the carrying capacity of the mangrove ecosystem area to be used for ecotourism. This research was carried out from January to February 2021 in the Tanjung Lesung area, Banten, with three research stations based on the initial survey and the data provided by the manager. The data taken in this study are mangrove ecosystems, associated biota, mangrove thickness, and respondents from visitors who aim to find out how long it takes their visit. The results obtained are there are nine types of mangroves from six families. The mangrove density of the research location is 796 ind.ha-1. The biota found at the research site found seven biota. The results of the calculation of ecotourism suitability at Station I have a value of 58.3% with the S2 category, and Station II has a value of 72.2% with the S2 category. Station III has a value of 33.3% with the S3 category. The calculation results of the area's carrying capacity for tracking activities are 180 people per day with a usable area of about 2200 m2.
Destination marketing, as a concept, has received much attention in tourism research. This research investigates the relationship between constructs, including city rejuvenation, destination image, city brand identity, and city perceptions. The study was quantitative in nature, adopting the survey method. A unique conceptual model was developed to test proposed hypotheses based on the abovementioned constructs. Data was collected from Braamfontein, a busy business district of Johannesburg, South Africa. A total of 297 participants completed the survey, and these responses were processed in SPSS 24 and AMOS 24 for descriptive statistics and hypotheses testing, respectively. The outcome (intention to recommend) was tested against three constructs (city brand identity, destination image, and city perception. The key finding suggests that destination image has the strongest influence on the intention to recommend a destination. This implies that the most significant incentive for tourists to recommend a destination is mainly caused by the traveller's perception of the destination's image. Based on the implications of the findings, further research direction is proposed.
Tourism plays a crucial role in driving economic growth, but the COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected the industry, including in Makassar City, Indonesia. This study aims to investigate the readiness of tourism to address the challenges posed by the pandemic and to identify the factors influencing this readiness. Specifically, the study focuses on the perceptions of tourism readiness based on the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI) sub-index. Data was collected through surveys conducted in Makassar City using non-probability quota sampling. A quantitative-descriptive approach was employed, and the collected data were analyzed using multiple linear regression techniques. The study primarily examines the impact of two factors, namely the enabling environment and travel and tourism policy and enabling conditions, on tourism readiness. The study's findings reveal that enabling environment, travel, tourism policy, and enabling conditions contribute significantly to tourism readiness in Makassar City. However, the travel and tourism policy and enabling conditions variable influence tourism readiness substantially. Indicators such as the prioritization of travel and tourism indicators and the openness indicator received high scores, further supporting the significance of these factors. The implications of these findings are valuable for policymakers and government authorities involved in the tourism sector. The study provides valuable insights into the areas that need to be prioritized and improved to enhance tourism readiness in Makassar City. By focusing on creating an enabling environment and implementing effective travel and tourism policies, the government can shape strategies that foster resilience and recovery in the tourism industry amidst the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Keywords: COVID-19 Pandemic, Economic Growth, Tourism Readiness, TTCI Sub-Index.
Revenge tourism is a manifestation of tourist expressions to make up for lost time due to the pandemic. This study aims to explore the factors that encourage someone to engage in revenge tourism by using an expanded Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). The population in this study were Jabodetabek residents in adulthood who had traveled during the easing of restrictions. Sampling using convenience sampling technique with a total sample of 246 people. This study used a quantitative approach, and data were collected through questionnaires distributed online using Google Forms. The data analysis technique in this study uses Partial Least Square (PLS). PLS is an equation model of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with an approach based on variance or component-based structural equation modeling. The results of this study provide insight into the factors that influence a person's intention to engage in revenge tourism and can be used to develop effective policies and marketing strategies in tourism
The study aims to investigate the readiness of Community-based Tourism (CBT) in the COVID-19 crisis facing digitalization. The method of the study is a descriptive study. The research subjects are 15 villagers participating in the Dayu tourism village. They are the villagers' representatives who work in tourism during the pandemic and based on permission from the Head of the Village. The research setting is at Dayu tourism village, Gondangrejo, Karanganyar, Central Java. The study was done in September 2021. The data were taken through observation and questionnaires. Data were analyzed through data display, data reduction, and drawing conclusions. The results of the study are (a) less than 30% of the villagers use the Internet, E-mail, Facebook, Instagram, Affiliate Marketing, What's App, Social Media, and Instagram to promote their products and skills; (b) most of them upload their products and skills in the form of a photograph, and less than 50% of them use songs, written form, and videos; (c) Less than 25% of them upload their owned content and their friends' content to social media; (d) there were less than 50% of them who were able to create videos, written form, and movement; and to choose themes Economic, fashion, religion, short movie about local community, promotion, education, social, culture, and arts as their social media content.
Natural resources such as medicinal plants are important in the formation of wellness tourism development. This study aims to determine medicinal plants, their utilization, and necessary strategies for their development in the wellness tourism industry. The research methodology involved data collection, observation, and documentation. The study had 40 respondents over 45 years old, selected based on their experience in traditional medicine. The study involved two types of informants: 13 key informants and 27 non-key informants. Data were analyzed using UVs, ICS, and SWOT. It was found that the informants in Kalipuro-Gombengsari Village utilized 106 species of medicinal plants. Cinnamomum burmannii (UV = 8), Centella asiatica (UV = 6), and Arenga pinnata (UV = 5) were the most commonly used plants. The findings revealed 75 prevalent diseases in the community, with stomach-related issues being the most common, treatable with 19 species of medicinal plants. Zingiber officinale, Carica papaya, and Musa paradisiaca were the top three plants with the highest ICS values, scoring 100 due to their numerous benefits. Plant conservation, education, and cultural preservation in Kalipuro-Gombengsari can be supported by the preservation of the Digital House and Kembang Galengan as centers for the development of wellness tourism.
Most people agree that COVID-19 has affected the tourism sector the most. This paper seeks to find the socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19 on the destination under study. The research implored semi-structured interviews, observations, and content analysis to acquire information. The first case of the virus in The Gambia was registered on the 16th of March 2020. As of the 29th of January, 2021, the country registered 4,090 positive cases of COVID-19, out of whom 3,792 have recovered, 128 are confirmed to have died, and 170 active cases. A total of 59% of confirmed cases are male and 41% female. The ecotourism industry of The Gambia is hit hard by the impacts of COVID-19. The places highly affected are the wildlife ecologies with no spiritual connections. There is evidence of wildlife crime and negative human-wildlife interaction. Sacred sites are easier to manage as people’s spirituality frowns at wildlife cruelty. The pandemic has caused severe economic, health, and social challenges in the Gambia, killing many and disrupting the normal functioning of society, including wildlife ecologies in some places. It has increased wildlife hunger in Kachikally Crocodile Pool, economic distress, and human-wildlife conflict in Bijilo Monkey Forest and surrounding.
This study aims to describe the potential of Tri Eka Buana village as a tourist destination producing Arak through the application of creative tourism in terms of tourist activities or a place that produces Arak. The research uses qualitative study and field research to find the potential of Tri Eka Buana as a creative tourist destination. We identified the potential of Tri Eka Buana village and then explored the contribution of the local community to develop the village as a creative tourism destination. We also assessed the perception of the community leaders and community who play role in the development of tourism activities in Tri Eka Buana village. In the first stage for the result, the potential of Tri Eka Buana village is very supportive in developing as a creative tourism destination with the characteristic of Arak village. It is supported by the natural and socio-cultural environment that is still well maintained in the globalization era. The second stage of the result is about the contribution of the local community to support Tri Eka Buana village as a creative tourism destination obtained through in-depth interviews with the village head, Arak farmers, and owner of Arak production. These investigations identify the role of all levels of society in developing the Tri Eka Buana villages as creative tourism destinations. Another result implied that not only the role of local communities but also the role of the local government is needed for development and sustainability.
