Peran Kelompok Sadar Wisata ( Pokdarwis ) dalam Pengembangan Pantai Pandaratan, di Kabupaten Tapanuli Tengah

Abstract

Pandaratan Beach, located in Pondok Batu Village, Sarudik District, was initially not a popular tourist destination. The area was initially overlooked due to difficult access, minimal facilities, and inadequate management. However, in 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, a resident named Masro Marbun and his family took the initiative to manage the area independently. With limited resources and support, they began opening roads, cleaning the beach, and promoting its natural beauty through social media. Despite facing numerous obstacles, such as budget constraints and unclear land legality, the effort persisted and eventually gained the attention of the local government and other stakeholders. This study aims to examine the role of the Tourism Awareness Group (Pokdarwis) in the development of Pandaratan Beach in Central Tapanuli Regency. The approach used was a qualitative method, with data collection techniques through interviews, participant observation, and documentation. The results indicate that PokdarwisSugu. Pandaratan is active in environmental conservation, improving facilities, and empowering the local community's economy, despite limited resources and technical challenges. These findings underscore the importance of capacity building and institutional support to strengthen the performance of Pokdarwis (tourism groups). It concludes that collaboration between communities, the government, and the private sector is key to sustainable tourism. Keywords: Pokdarwis, sustainable tourism, Pandaratan Beach.