Pengaruh Destinasi Pariwisata terhadap Pengembangan Kawasan Danau Toba Melalui Kaldera Geopark

Abstract

The tourism sector holds a strategic role in development policies, particularly in Indonesia with its diverse assets. Lake Toba has been designated as a National Strategic Area focusing on tourism destinations. Geopark serves as a sustainable development model, leveraging the territorial benefits of a geopark area as an economic resource. The geopark management concept integrates four key systems: biodiversity, geodiversity, geoheritage, and cultural diversity, aiming to empower local communities. Geopark utilization can align with existing spatial planning strategies, creating new economic opportunities around Lake Toba by generating jobs in the tourism industry and its management sector. This study aims to analyze the role of the Toba Caldera Geopark as a mediating variable in the development of the Lake Toba area using the SEM-PLS data analysis technique. The research method employs SEM-PLS analysis comprising two sub-models: the measurement model (external) and the structural model (internal). Convergent validity in PLS with reflective indicators is assessed based on the indicators' loading factors. The results show that the Toba Caldera Geopark can accelerate the influence of tourism variables such as attractions, amenities, accessibility, ancillary services, and supporting infrastructure in enhancing the development of the Lake Toba area. However, the development has not yet significantly improved accessibility within the Lake Toba region based on the tourism sector. The study concludes that integrated management of the Toba Caldera Geopark with tourism development is recommended as an effective approach to boost the development of the Lake Toba area.