Place Attachment pada Heritage Tourism di Pecinan Bagansiapiapi Riau

Abstract

Place attachment is a complex phenomenon encompassing various aspects of the relationship between individuals and their physical and social environments. This study explores place attachment within the context of heritage tourism, specifically in the Chinatown of Bagansiapiapi, a city with a unique cultural and historical heritage in the Riau Province, Indonesia. In this context, place attachment significantly influences visitor behavior, local community perceptions, and the dynamics of sustainable tourism development. The research aims to understand how place attachment is formed in heritage tourism areas and how cultural, historical, and social factors influence this attachment. Utilizing a mixed- methods approach (both qualitative and quantitative), this study analyzes the emotional connections and perceptions of users toward the Chinatown area of Bagansiapiapi, as well as evaluates the variables that affect local community support in tourism development. The findings reveal that place attachment in the heritage tourism area of Bagansiapiapi is shaped by a long history of social and cultural interactions, including the presence of historical buildings, local traditions such as the Bakar Tongkang ritual, and the emotional experiences felt by visitors and residents. The study also highlights that a significant attachment to a place can encourage community participation in cultural preservation efforts and sustainable tourism development. This research is expected to contribute to understanding place attachment in sustainable heritage tourism and to provide recommendations to destination managers and city governments for more effective development and marketing strategies to enhance heritage tourism attraction and improve the welfare of local communities.