Publication Search

The rapid advancement of digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) has fundamentally reshaped the management and development of the tourism industry. Digital transformation strategies offer substantial opportunities to enhance destination competitiveness while simultaneously supporting economic, social, and environmental sustainability. This study aims to systematically examine the role of digital transformation and AI in strengthening sustainable tourism competitiveness through a literature review approach. A total of 42 peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2019 and 2025 were analyzed, drawing from Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The analysis employed thematic synthesis to identify dominant patterns, conceptual relationships, and emerging themes across the literature. The findings indicate that AI-driven digital transformation enhances operational efficiency, enables personalized tourist experiences, supports data-informed resource management, and facilitates the development of smart tourism destinations. Nevertheless, persistent challenges related to human resource readiness, digital inequality, data governance, and ethical considerations remain evident. This review provides an integrated conceptual perspective on digital transformation and AI in sustainable tourism competitiveness and offers insights for policymakers, practitioners, and future research.

This study aims to analyze the optimization of the use of Village Funds in efforts to develop Pethung Park tourism in Belik Village, Trawas District, Mojokerto Regency, using  the New Public Governance (NPG) theoretical approach  from Osborne and Gabler. NPG theory emphasizes the importance of collaboration, participation, networking, decentralization, as well as transparency and accountability in public governance. This study uses a qualitative descriptive method by collecting data through interviews, observations, and documentation involving the village government, BUMDes, Pokdarwis, and the local community. The results of the study show that the Belik Village government has succeeded in making optimal use of the Village Fund as an instrument of local economic development and a means of community empowerment. The Village Fund is directed to tourism infrastructure development, human resource training, and digital-based tourism promotion. Collaboration between village governments, communities, and the private sector through BUMDes and Pokdarwis is able to create participatory and sustainable development governance. The real impact can be seen from the increase in the number of tourist visits, the growth of MSMEs, and the increase in the village's original income. This study concludes that NPG-based governance practices in Belik Village have resulted in development effectiveness and strengthened village economic independence. The results of this study can be a model for other villages in implementing the management of Village Funds for the tourism sector based on collaboration and community participation towards sustainable village development.

The development of sustainable tourism facilities is one of the important efforts in increasing the attractiveness of destinations while preserving the environment. This study aims to analyze the implementation of ecological concepts in the development of glamping facilities in the Pearl Beach tourist area. The method used is a descriptive qualitative approach, with data collection through field observations, interviews with managers and tourists, and literature studies related to ecotourism principles and sustainable design. The results of the study show that the application of ecological concepts in glamping facilities in Mutiara Beach includes the use of environmentally friendly materials, integrated waste management, the application of energy efficiency, and designs that integrate the natural landscape without damaging the coastal ecosystem. The application of this concept not only improves the comfort and experience of tourists, but also contributes to increasing environmental awareness and strengthening the positive image of tourist destinations. In addition, this ecologically-conceptual glamping development model is expected to be a reference for the development of sustainable tourism facilities in other coastal areas, which prioritizes nature preservation and the welfare of local communities.

This article analyzes women’s empowerment in the development of Pekunden Tourism Village, Banyumas District, Banyumas Regency, focusing on the role and contribution of women in tourism based on local creativity. Using Kartasasmita's (1996) empowerment framework, which includes enabling, empowering, and protection, the study collects data through interviews, observations, and documentation from key informants such as the village head, tourism awareness group, and women entrepreneurs in Oemah Batik, Oemah Manggleng, Dragon Fruit Garden, and Kampoeng Nopia Mino. The findings reveal that women’s empowerment in Pekunden Tourism Village has fostered a supportive environment, enhanced women’s capacity, and ensured business protection. Training programs and the development of local products have expanded economic opportunities, increased women’s participation in decision-making, and improved family welfare. Overall, women’s empowerment has made a significant contribution to local socioeconomic development, positioning Pekunden Tourism Village as a successful model of synergy between tourism and community empowerment. This case exemplifies the positive impact of regional autonomy in promoting local creativity and economic growth through tourism.

The Community Service Program (Kuliah Kerja Nyata / KKN) of Universitas Muhammadiyah Tangerang (UMT) in Sukadiri Village, Tangerang Regency, was implemented with the aim of empowering the community through strengthening tourism-based MSMEs and raising environmental awareness. This program employed a participatory qualitative descriptive approach, in which students acted as facilitators in assisting the community. The main focus included sustainable tourism literacy, MSME digitalization, waste segregation management, and community literacy improvement. Key activities carried out consisted of designing logos and digital branding for MSMEs, conducting ecoprinting training utilizing local flora, delivering legal counseling on bullying within the scope of the Electronic Information and Transactions Law (ITE), creating educational boards and segregated waste bins, establishing a reading corner, and supporting food security through corn planting. The results indicated increased community awareness of environmental management, improved skills of MSME actors in utilizing digital technology, and the growth of literacy culture among children and youth. In addition to providing tangible benefits for the community, this program also enriched students’ experiences in applying their academic knowledge directly in the field. Therefore, the KKN in Sukadiri Village not only contributed to sustainable village development but also served as a best practice model that could be replicated in other regions.

Tanjungpinang City has been the capital of Riau Islands Province since 2002 based on Law Number 5 of 2001 concerning the Establishment of Tanjungpinang City, which also became the basis for the establishment of Riau Islands Province in 2002 through Law Number 25 of 2002 concerning the Establishment of Riau Islands Province. Tanjungpinang City has a very strategic location for tourism, as evidenced by the large number of foreign tourists visiting the city. However, infrastructure in Tanjungpinang City at that time seemed to be stagnant, unable to be developed further due to the lack of efforts from the local government. Responding to this phenomenon, the Riau Islands Provincial Government, through the Office of Public Works, Spatial Planning and Land (DPUPP), has stepped in as the government agency responsible for sustainable infrastructure development in the construction and planning of the Gurindam Dua Belas Area. This development and planning will involve all relevant sectors, especially agencies/OPDs that will work together in an integrated manner, as well as the involvement of the community and the private sector as investors in this area. This study aims to describe and analyze the role of the Riau Islands Provincial Public Works, Spatial Planning and Land Agency in Infrastructure Development in the Provincial Capital. The research method used was qualitative research with data collection techniques in the form of literature studies, interviews, and observations.

Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) play a strategic role in Indonesia's economic development, particularly in developing products based on local wisdom. Toko Jayabaru is an MSME that markets Maumere's signature souvenirs made from traditional ikat woven fabric, facing various challenges and opportunities amid business and tourism dynamics. This study aims to identify internal and external factors affecting Toko Jayabaru's performance and formulate appropriate business development strategies through SWOT analysis. The research employs a qualitative descriptive approach with data collection through in-depth interviews with the owner and management of Toko Jayabaru. Data analysis uses the SWOT framework (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) to identify the business's strategic position and formulate alternative development strategies. Toko Jayabaru's main strengths lie in strong local cultural identity, authentic product quality, and adequate business experience. Weaknesses include limited digital marketing, restricted production capacity, and lack of derivative product variations. Opportunities encompass Flores tourism sector growth, increasing interest in local products, and potential strategic collaborations. Main threats are competition from similar products, influx of imitation products, and dependence on tourism sector fluctuations. Recommended development strategies include strengthening branding through storytelling, diversifying woven derivative products, optimizing digital marketing, strategic collaboration with tourism stakeholders, enhancing human resource capacity, and implementing customer loyalty programs. Implementation of these strategies is expected to increase MSME competitiveness while preserving Maumere's local culture.

Tourism is one of the sectors that plays an important role in boosting economic growth through travel activities and destination exploration. Tourists' preferences for nature-based tourism options, such as mountain hiking or beach tourism, are influenced by various factors, ranging from personal experiences and recreational interests to social characteristics. Therefore, a technology-based approach is needed to predict destination choice tendencies more accurately. As artificial intelligence technology develops, deep learning methods have been widely used in classification processes due to their ability to process large amounts of data and recognize complex patterns. In this study, a Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) model is used to classify tourists' preferences between mountain or beach destinations based on a survey dataset. The research stages include data processing, data splitting using a train-test split, model training, and performance evaluation using accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score. The test results show that the MLP model is capable of achieving an accuracy rate of 99%, confirming that deep learning methods are effective in automatically mapping tourism preference trends. This research is expected to serve as a basis for the development of more personalized travel destination recommendation systems, as well as to support tourism management in formulating targeted promotional strategies.

The development of science and technology has encouraged the utilization of graph theory in solving optimization problems, particularly in transportation systems and tourism route planning. Medan City, as a metropolitan area with dense road networks and widely dispersed tourist destinations, faces challenges in selecting efficient travel routes. This research aims to determine the optimal route between tourist destinations in Medan City using the Minimum Spanning Tree (MST) method with Prim’s Algorithm. The research was conducted using a weighted graph modeling approach, where each tourist destination is represented as a vertex and the distance between destinations is represented as an edge weight. Distance data and estimated travel time were obtained through digital mapping using Google Maps and then analyzed through iterations of Prim’s Algorithm to produce a minimum spanning tree without forming cycles. The results show that all 23 tourist destinations are successfully connected in a single MST structure with a minimum total distance of 68.97 km and a travel time of approximately 199 minutes or 3 hours and 19 minutes. This model is expected to serve as a reference for tourism planning and support urban transportation efficiency based on mathematical computation.

This study aims to determine the role of the Tourism Office in promoting Letvuan Paradise Tourism Village and what obstacles are faced by the Tourism Office of Southeast Maluku Regency in carrying out promotions in Letvuan Paradise Tourism Village, Southeast Maluku Regency. This research method uses a qualitative descriptive method. Data collection techniques used observation, interviews, and literature studies. The results of the study indicate that the Southeast Maluku Regency Tourism Office plays a significant role in promoting the Letvuan Paradise Tourism Village through facilitation, mentoring, and collaboration with various parties. Promotion is carried out through official social media, annual events, and efforts to include Letvuan Paradise in the National Event Calendar (CEN). Promotion in the tourism sector is a means of communication to introduce a tourist destination and build a positive image, thereby increasing the number of visitors and providing economic benefits to the surrounding community. In addition to Hawang Cave, promotion also highlights local potential such as arabusta coffee, Japanese bunkers, and community culture. The Tourism Office also supports Pokdarwis and MSMEs through training and involvement in various activities. This encourages community and village government participation in tourism promotion. Obstacles faced include limited infrastructure, budget, and the use of digital technology. Overall, the Tourism Office plays a significant role in building the image of Letvuan Paradise, but sustainable development still requires infrastructure improvements, consistent promotion, and community independence.

This study aims to analyze the effect of using the Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard (QRIS) on improving financial inclusion among Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in North Toraja Regency. The research is motivated by the rapid development of digital payment systems, which have not been optimally adopted by MSMEs in tourism areas. QRIS, as a non-cash payment innovation, is expected to expand access tofinancial services, enhance transaction efficiency, and encourage MSMEs’ participation in the formal financial system. This study employs a quantitative approach using a survey method involving 35 handicraft MSMEs in the Ke’te Kesu’ tourism area, selected through a saturated sampling technique. Data were collected using a five-point Likert scale questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS version 25 through validity and reliability tests, descriptive analysis, classical assumption tests, and simple linear regression. The results indicate that QRIS usage has a positive and significant effect on financial inclusion, with a correlation coefficient (R) of 0.758 and a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.575. The t-test shows a significance value of < 0.05. These findings support the Financial Deepening theory and the financial inclusion concept, which emphasize access, affordability, and usage of financial services. Thus, QRIS serves as an important instrument in promoting digital transformation and enhancing financial inclusion among MSMEs in North Toraja Regency.

This article discusses the application of service learning as an educational approach that supports the preservation of cultural heritage and the strengthening of sustainable tourism in Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. As one of the most important Hindu temple complexes in Southeast Asia, Batu Caves has become a symbol of cultural diversity and interreligious harmony. However, increased tourism activity has brought about various problems, such as environmental pollution, waste management issues, and the erosion of cultural values among visitors. To address these challenges, service-learning programs integrate academic theory with direct participation in the community, allowing students to actively engage in environmental conservation, cultural documentation, and the development of public education initiatives. Thru collaboration with temple managers, local communities, and tourists, students applied management concepts in real-world situations, including cleaning activities, maintaining tourist areas, developing educational materials on eco-tourism, and preserving traditional rituals thru cultural archiving. The implementation of this service learning not only enriches students' learning experiences but also raises public awareness about the importance of preserving Batu Caves as a sustainable cultural heritage site. Overall, this project demonstrates that service learning is a transformative pedagogical approach that connects academic goals with community development and cultivates future leaders who are socially responsible and culturally sensitive.

One of Indonesia’s key strategies for generating foreign exchange is the development of Tourism Villages. A Tourism Village refers to a rural area that is utilized as a recreational destination due to its natural beauty, cultural uniqueness, and local attractions that appeal to tourists. The development of Tourism Villages inevitably involves the Village Government as the main authority in village administration. Tourism Village development is an integral part of community empowerment, as it encourages local residents to actively participate in village development activities. Through effective empowerment programs, the Village Government can enhance community capacity, increase economic opportunities, and strengthen local potential in a sustainable manner. This study employs a qualitative research approach. The qualitative research process involves several important stages, including formulating research questions, applying appropriate research procedures, collecting specific data from participants, analyzing data inductively from particular themes to broader patterns, and interpreting the meaning of the findings. Using this approach, the study reveals that the role of the Village Government is crucial in planning, managing, and supporting Tourism Village development. Strong leadership, community involvement, and strategic empowerment initiatives are essential factors in ensuring the successful and sustainable development of Tourism Villages in Indonesia.

The Nanga Sira Mangrove Forest Tourism Area is an ecotourism destination with significant natural potential that has not been utilized optimally. The managing community faces constraints in aspects of digital marketing, educational content development, governance, and supporting facilities. This community service program aims to implement strategic collaboration between higher education institutions and the community to increase tourist visits through a participatory action research approach. The implementation method includes four main stages: observation, participatory planning, activity implementation, and monitoring and evaluation. Core activities conducted include digital marketing training and creative content creation, development of environmental conservation education materials, improvement of tourism governance systems, and physical infrastructure enhancement. Evaluation results show a significant increase in community capacity with a 75% rise in social media interactions and 40% growth in tourist visits over a two-month period. This program successfully proves that the higher education-community collaboration model is effective as a strategy for sustainable tourism development. Recommendations include the importance of continuous mentoring and the development of more innovative tourism packages.

Barru Regency tourism has a variety of tourist attractions, but information related to the location and potential of tourism has not been digitally integrated, making it difficult for tourists and the government to access data. This study aims to design and build a web-based Geographic Information System (GIS) that can map the location of tourist attractions in Barru Regency interactively, easily accessible, and equipped with supporting information in the form of descriptions, types of tourism, photos, and travel routes. The research method used is Research and Development (R&D) with the stages of tourist attraction surveys, interface design, feature development, and system testing. The results of the study are in the form of a website "Web-Based Geographic Information System for Mapping Tourist Attractions in Barru Regency" which is able to present tourist information systematically and easily understood. The conclusion of this study shows that the developed system can be a supporting medium in disseminating tourism information, helping tourists find tourist locations, and supporting the local government in managing and developing the tourism sector based on spatial data. This application also has the potential to be an educational and promotional tool to increase tourist visits to Barru Regency  

The culture produced in the cultural industry has shifted from merely possessing artistic value to prioritizing economic value. One strategic element that can be utilized to support the development of the cultural industry is the organization of events. Event management plays a strategic role in the cultural industry, ensuring the successful transformation of cultural ideas into real experiences that have economic value while strengthening social meaning. Cultural events often serve as platforms to showcase local cultural heritage, traditions, and creativity to a wider audience, both domestically and internationally. This study examines the influence of the event on enhancing perceptions of the cultural sector using a quantitative methodology. The sample used in this study was 70 respondents. Data collection was carried out by asking respondents to complete a questionnaire relating to their experience attending the cultural event and their assessment of the image as a cultural tourism destination. SPSS was used to examine the information collected from the questionnaire. The results show that the Event variable has a significant influence on the Cognitive Image (CK), Affective Image (CA), and Overall Image (CO) of the destination. The t-test shows that the relationship between Event and the three image dimensions has a p-value <0.05, which indicates a strong and significant influence. Events designed with informative, emotional, and interactive aspects in mind will significantly contribute to the formation of the overall image. In a practical context, the implication is that event organizers need to ensure the quality of the holistic experience to continuously strengthen the overall image.

This study is motivated by the tourism potential of Tamsar 27 in Bengkelang Village, Bandar Pusaka Sub-district, Aceh Tamiang Regency, which offers clear river streams, scenic natural landscapes, and a peaceful rural atmosphere, yet has not been optimally managed to improve the local economy. The purpose of this research is to analyze strategies for community-based tourism management to enhance local welfare. The research employs a qualitative descriptive approach, using field observations, interviews, and documentation as data-collection techniques. Data were analyzed through reduction, presentation, and conclusion-drawing stages. The results reveal five main strategies for improving community economy through tourism management at Tamsar 27: (1) improving tourism infrastructure; (2) empowering local communities through training in tourism management and entrepreneurship; (3) diversifying tourism-related businesses such as homestays and local specialty products; (4) optimizing digital promotion; and (5) strengthening partnerships among the village government, village-owned enterprises (BUMDes), and private sectors to ensure sustainable tourism development. The implications of this study demonstrate that applying the principles of community-based tourism and empowerment theory provides an effective foundation for developing sustainable rural tourism destinations while simultaneously enhancing local income and community self-reliance.  

This study aims to explore the potential of sago as a local product that can be processed into a tourism attraction based on local wisdom in the Silowo Ecotourism Area, Tuban Regency. Sago, with its ecological, economic, and cultural values, plays a significant role in maintaining food security and also enhances the educational experience of tourists. This study employed a qualitative approach through observation, in-depth interviews, and a literature review. The findings indicate that sago has significant potential to become a tourism symbol, through distinctive culinary innovations, educational activities on sago processing, and presentations in the form of local cultural attractions. Developing this potential will not only improve the economic well-being of the community but also strengthen the region's cultural identity and support environmental conservation efforts. Therefore, sago management involving community participation and product innovation are key factors for the successful development of local wisdom tourism in Silowo.

The economy of West Sumatra Province has shown a significant decline in recent years, with the lowest growth rate on the entire island of Sumatra. This study aims to examine the influence of capital expenditure, unemployment, and the Human Development Index on economic growth in this region between 2014 and 2024. Using multiple linear regression and data sourced from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) and the Directorate General of Fiscal Balance, the analysis shows that capital expenditure and unemployment have a significant negative impact on economic growth, while the Human Development Index (HDI) has no significant impact. Although capital expenditure varies, the decline in unemployment indicates a change in labor market conditions. This information indicates that government efforts to increase spending on infrastructure and public services are still ineffective in driving growth. Therefore, it is recommended that the government prioritize budget allocations in productive sectors such as infrastructure, tourism, and MSME development to help small businesses grow and advance through training, capital support, and technology implementation to ensure competitiveness and sustainability. Therefore, this study is expected to provide deeper insight into the elements that influence economic growth in West Sumatra and serve as a guide for further, more comprehensive research.  

This study analyzes the potential of leading sectors in five cities in Aceh Province: Sabang, Banda Aceh, Lhokseumawe, Langsa, and Subulussalam using the Location Quotient (LQ) method. This method is used to identify basic sectors that have comparative advantages and play a role as the main drivers of the regional economy. The data used are secondary data on GRDP by business field from BPS. The results of the study show that each city has different leading sectors according to the characteristics of its region: Sabang excels in the tourism and service sectors; Banda Aceh in the modern service sector such as transportation, finance, and energy; Lhokseumawe in the processing industry and trade; Langsa in the service, trade, and transportation sectors; and Subulussalam in the agricultural and MSME sectors. This study emphasizes the need for the formulation of development policies based on local potential to encourage inclusive and sustainable economic growth in Aceh Province.