Perencanaan Wisata Tematik Berbasis Walking Tour di Kawasan Kesawan Medan

Abstract

The Kesawan area in Medan is an old town rich in cultural, historical and colonial architectural value. Despite its great potential, this area has yet to be fully developed into a tourism product. A walking tour approach can effectively bring historical narratives to life through participatory experiences. This study aims to design a thematic walking tour in Kesawan Medan as a strategy for developing a sustainable cultural heritage destination. A qualitative case study method was employed, involving observation, in-depth interviews, and visual documentation. The findings indicate that Kesawan holds strong potential as a thematic tourism destination, supported by historical storytelling, cultural diversity, and colonial- era buildings. The proposed route includes key points such as Merdeka Square, Lonsum Building, Gang Bengkok Mosque, Tjong A Fie Mansion, and Tip Top Restaurant. Challenges include limited pedestrian facilities and insufficient promotion, yet tourist enthusiasm and community involvement offer promising opportunities. The study concludes that a walking tour in Kesawan Medan can be sustainably developed through improved infrastructure, active community engagement, creative promotion, and cross-sector collaboration.