Strategi Dinas Pariwisata dan Kebudayaan Kabupaten Simalungun Dalam Pengembangan Pariwisata Ekonomi Kreatif dan Kebudayaan Daerah

Abstract

The management strategy for tourist attractions, creative economy businesses, and regional culture in Simalungun Regency is very important to implement so that these sectors can become centers of natural and cultural tourism attractions as well as centers for creative economy businesses, thereby increasing the number of tourist visits and opening business opportunities for the local community.This research aims to understand the strategies of the department and the management concepts of the creative economy tourism sector and regional culture in Simalungun Regency. The method used in this research is explanatory qualitative. Qualitative research was conducted using interviews and observations to generally describe the issues being studied.In this study, the researcher used the Suwantoro tourism development indicators developed by Febrandani and Meirinawati, namely: Tourist Attractions, Tourism Facilities, Tourism Infrastructure, Management or Infrastructure, and the Community. Based on the research conducted by the researcher, it can be concluded that the government's strategy in managing tourism in Simalungun Regency still needs to be improved effectively and efficiently because Simalungun Regency has attractive natural cultural potential and creative economic business potential but still faces challenges in terms of accessibility, facilities, and promotion.Tourism management is currently carried out independently with community involvement through Pokdarwis, but coordination with the relevant departments still needs to be improved. The presence of creative economy tourism and local culture in Simalungun Regency has had a positive economic and social impact on the community, although efforts to enhance skills and knowledge in comprehensive tourism management are still needed to maximize the existing potential.