Analisis Pengunjung Objek Wisata Alam pada saat Pandemi Covid-19 di Sumatera Utara

Abstract

North Sumatra has an abundance of natural resources that are extraordinary and can be a tourist attraction for the community. Nature tourism is a form of recreation that utilizes the potential of natural resources and ecosystems as objects and tourist attractions. The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the nature tourism sector, including in North Sumatra. The considerable impact is the decline in visits from domestic and foreign tourists and some tourist attractions have closed their businesses. This study aims to identify the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the number of visitors, analyze visitor characteristics, the influence of the Covid- 19 pandemic on tourist attraction facilities, factors that influence the decline in tourist visits, and analyze aspects of tourism that decline and priorities to be addressed. The methods used in this research are matched pair t-test, descriptive statistical analysis, and multiple linear regression analysis. The results of identifying the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the number of visitors show a significant decline. The results of multiple linear regression analysis show the influence between the number of visitors with transportation facilities and attractions or tourist attractions. The regional origin of visitors shows an influence on the use of accommodation facilities, restroom facilities, and tourist attractions or attractions. Visitor expenditure has an influence on accommodation facilities, worship facilities, and attractions. The factor that influences the decline in tourist visits is the fear of Covid-19 transmission during tourism activities. The aspect of tourism that is declining and the priority to be addressed is amenity, namely the facilities and infrastructure needed by tourists while in tourist destinations.