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This study examines the role of halal tourism in enhancing destination competitiveness and strengthening the Islamic economy within the tourism sector. This research employs a systematic literature review to synthesize findings from relevant academic sources. The results indicate that halal tourism contributes significantly to destination competitiveness by increasing tourist arrivals and encouraging product diversification. In addition, it supports the development of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and promotes local economic growth through a multiplier effect. Halal tourism also fosters ethical business practices and sustainable tourism development aligned with Islamic principles. However, its implementation faces key challenges, including limited infrastructure, complex halal certification procedures, and perceptions of exclusivity among non-Muslim tourists. Therefore, strategic efforts are required to improve Muslim-friendly infrastructure, streamline certification processes, strengthen MSME capacity through training and digitalization, and adopt inclusive branding strategies. These measures are expected to enhance the competitiveness, resilience, and sustainability of halal tourism destinations in the global market.

The Impact-Oriented Community Service Program (KKN Berdampak) conducted by students of Universitas Mayjend Sungkono in Kebontunggul Village, Gondang District, Mojokerto Regency focused on optimizing branding and digital marketing for the Lembah Mbencirang tourist destination. Lembah Mbencirang is a village-based tourism destination with significant natural and educational potential; however, this potential has not been widely recognized due to limitations in branding and digital marketing. This community service program aimed to sustainably increase tourist visits through SWOT analysis, visual identity rebranding, and digital marketing campaigns utilizing social media, search engine optimization (SEO), and visual content. The activities were carried out participatively in collaboration with the local Village-Owned Enterprise (BUMDes) and Tourism Awareness Group (Pokdarwis) using observation, mentoring, and promotional content development methods. The results indicate that the optimization of branding and digital marketing at Lembah Mbencirang Tourism produced initial outcomes in the form of digital media readiness and increased understanding among tourism managers. Although the impact on visitor numbers has not yet been measured significantly, a digital marketing foundation has been established as an initial step toward the development of village tourism.

City branding is a strategic approach to enhancing a city's competitiveness by leveraging unique local characteristics to create a strong and distinctive identity. This study examines the role of semanggi—a traditional Surabaya dish—as a cultural icon in strengthening the city's branding. Although semanggi carries deep symbolic meaning and historical significance for Surabaya’s residents, its potential as a city branding asset remains underutilized in formal tourism and marketing programs. Adopting a qualitative exploratory case study design, data were collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and document analysis involving local stakeholders, small and medium-sized culinary enterprises, cultural figures, and municipal representatives. Thematic analysis identified five key dimensions of semanggi’s role in city branding: (1) visual representation in urban spaces and promotional media; (2) cultural narratives and heritage preservation; (3) community pride and participation; (4) local economic resilience; and (5) strategic promotion by municipal authorities. The findings suggest that integrating semanggi into Surabaya’s branding strategy can reinforce cultural identity, differentiate the city in competitive tourism markets, and promote sustainable local entrepreneurship. The study contributes to the theoretical discourse on culinary-based place branding and offers practical recommendations for incorporating local wisdom into destination marketing. Limitations include the single-case scope and qualitative focus, pointing to opportunities for comparative and mixed-method research in the future.  

This study conducts a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) of 20 empirical and conceptual articles published between 2020 and 2025 to examine the influence of city branding on tourism interest and consumer behavior, with a particular focus on the city of Balikpapan. The synthesis reveals that city branding significantly shapes tourist perceptions through key elements such as destination image, brand identity, brand personality, and digital communication. Destination image consistently emerges as the primary mediator linking city branding to visit intention, while experiential and emotional branding further strengthen tourists’ cognitive, affective, and behavioral responses. The findings also highlight the growing importance of digital media and e-WOM in amplifying city branding strategies, especially in the post-pandemic tourism landscape. Despite strong branding potential rooted in cleanliness, safety, and Balikpapan’s strategic role as a supporting city for the new capital (IKN), gaps remain in digital branding, differentiation, and identity storytelling. The review emphasizes the need for more integrated, innovative, and data-driven branding approaches to enhance the city’s competitiveness and attract greater tourism engagement.

Tourism development plays a vital role in attracting visitors, while destination branding contributes to shaping a positive image and a strong identity for the destination. This study employed a qualitative descriptive approach, with data collected through observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation involving the hotel owner, manager, and staff. The aim of this research is to analyze the influence of tourism development and destination branding on the occupancy rate at Raja Hotel Samosir Parbaba. The findings reveal that tourism development around Parbaba White Sand Beach has positively contributed to increasing hotel occupancy, particularly through infrastructure improvements and enhancement of local attractions. Meanwhile, the hotel's branding strategies—highlighting Batak local culture, digital promotion, and local wisdom-based guest experiences—have successfully created a unique appeal for tourists. The synergy between tourism development and branding has proven effective in boosting occupancy rates, especially during holiday seasons and local events. This study concludes that integrated tourism development and destination branding not only increase the number of visitors but also strengthen the hotel's position in the tourism industry. Therefore, sustainable tourism development and appropriate branding strategies are essential for enhancing the competitiveness of hotels and the broader hospitality sector in tourist destinations.

Sport tourism makes a significant contribution to the economy by increasing tourist participation and strengthening the appeal of tourist destinations. The Indonesian government’s policies in supporting culture-based sport tourism, such as Mepantigan, are reflected in various regulations and strategic programs. One of the key policies is the development of culture-based tourism as stated in the National Tourism Development Master Plan (RIPPN) 2011–2025, in which the government is committed to promoting and preserving local culture as part of tourism attractions. This study aims to design a sport tourism development model through educational videos of the Mepantigan attraction in Batubulan, Bali. Mepantigan is a traditional Balinese martial art that holds great potential as a culture- and sport-based tourism attraction. However, promotion of this attraction on digital platforms remains limited, with content that is not yet educational and relies only on a single social media channel. This study employs a qualitative method using in-depth interviews, participatory observation, documentation study, and focus group discussions. The results show that educational videos using cinematographic approaches and the AIDAS strategy are able to enhance the appeal of Mepantigan as part of sport tourism. The recommended innovative digital platform model includes the use of YouTube and TikTok to reach a wider audience as well as the application of visual techniques such as slow motion to highlight the cultural values and philosophy of Mepantigan. This research is expected to serve as a reference for the development of culture-based sport tourism promotion through digital media. The appropriate development strategy is a growth strategy through the optimization of multichannel digital media (YouTube, Instagram, TikTok) using educational video instruments as the main promotional tool, while simultaneously strengthening Mepantigan branding as an innovative sport tourism attraction in Bali.

This study examines community empowerment in the development of Ulos Ragi Hotang in Desa Meat, Kecamatan Tampahan, Kabupaten Toba. Ulos Ragi Hotang is a cultural heritage of Batak Toba, rich in philosophical and historical meaning, with great potential as a creative economy product. The focus of this research is on the forms and strategies of community empowerment to preserve cultural heritage, increase economic added value, and support Desa Meat as a cultural tourism destination. The research uses a qualitative descriptive approach with data collection through observation, in-depth interviews with local weavers, traditional leaders, Pokdarwis managers, and the Tourism Department, as well as field documentation. The results show that empowerment is carried out through the improvement of weaving skills, community-based weaving groups, and training in production and marketing. Empowerment strategies include traditional marketing, digital promotion, strengthening tourism village institutions, product branding development, and involving the younger generation. Supporting factors include local cultural wealth and government support, while challenges include low digital literacy and limited market access. This study concludes that local community empowerment plays a significant role in the preservation of Ulos Ragi Hotang and creates sustainable creative economic opportunities, while also strengthening the cultural identity of Batak Toba.

Kampung Jawi, a cultural tourism destination in Semarang City, has experienced a significant decline in tourist visits due to stagnant digital promotion activities. The main problem lies in the absence of an integrative and empirically tested model that combines technology, community empowerment, and cultural reinforcement for Indonesian cultural tourism villages. This study aims to address this gap by formulating and testing the participatory SOME+ model, a modification of the original SOME framework (Share, Optimize, Manage, Engage) with the addition of TRAIN (capacity building) and SUSTAIN (sustainability). Using a mixed-methods exploratory sequential design (QUAL → quan), data were collected through observation, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), and social media content analysis. The findings highlight initial challenges such as low digital literacy and fragmented coordination. Nevertheless, a two-week pilot project increased social media engagement rates from 2.8% to 4.3% (a 52% rise) and enhanced community participation in content production from 25% to 41% (a 64% rise). The synthesis of these findings indicates that the SOME+ model effectively revitalizes the digital branding of cultural tourism villages. This research concludes that the participatory SOME+ model is a practical and replicable framework for strengthening community-based digital promotion and is recommended for adoption in rural tourism development policies.

The phenomenon of TikTok content aesthetics has emerged as a new strategy in tourism promotion, including in Labuan Bajo. However, not all content produced has appealing aesthetic quality. Many videos still appear monotonous, lack creativity, or fail to highlight local uniqueness. As a result, some content falls short in building a strong destination image and instead gets lost in the increasingly saturated digital content competition. This research aims to examine in depth how the aesthetics of TikTok content contribute to increasing tourist interest in visiting Labuan Bajo, one of Indonesia’s super-priority destinations. Labuan Bajo was chosen as a case study not only because of its world-class tourism appeal but also because it is currently being actively promoted through digital branding strategies. The study employs a qualitative approach with a case study design. Data were collected through TikTok content observation, in-depth interviews with content creators and local tourism stakeholders, as well as literature analysis on smart tourism and destination branding. This approach was selected to uncover the underlying meaning behind aesthetic content strategies while also highlighting the challenges faced in their implementation. The findings reveal that the aesthetics of TikTok content play a significant role in building a positive image of Labuan Bajo, enhancing its visual appeal, and creating emotional connections between prospective tourists and the destination. Nevertheless, the research also identifies challenges such as limited digital literacy, uneven content quality, and the risk of narrative homogenization that may reduce local uniqueness. Based on these findings, the study recommends the development of destination branding strategies that are more adaptive to social media trends, including the creation of aesthetic guidelines rooted in local culture, digital literacy training for tourism stakeholders, and close collaboration between government, industry, and content creators. Through these efforts, Labuan Bajo has the potential to strengthen its position as a leading world-class destination.

In late August 2025, Indonesia was rocked by nationwide political demonstrations, triggered by the death of a delivery driver at the hands of police. These protests turned violent, leading to multiple casualties, injuries, and arson attacks on government and commercial buildings. This unrest has raised international concerns regarding the country’s safety image. This paper uses a qualitative descriptive approach to analyze secondary sources, such as news media, government releases, and academic literature, to explore how hosting the 2025 MotoGP at the Mandalika Circuit could be used as a nation-branding strategy to counter negative perceptions. The study draws on nation branding theory, destination image concepts, event leveraging, and Situational Crisis Communication Theory (SCCT). Findings suggest that Indonesian authorities are actively promoting MotoGP Mandalika 2025 as an opportunity to demonstrate the country’s resilience and safety standards. We analyze two scenarios: one in which the event is canceled and one where it is successfully executed. The paper argues that canceling the event, unless due to a legitimate health crisis, would signal weakness and harm the country's image, while proceeding with it would reflect confidence and effective crisis management. As a "brand shield," the MotoGP event is being leveraged to reinforce the narrative of Indonesia as a stable and safe international sports host, demonstrating the country's ability to manage crises while showcasing its commitment to safety and resilience.

Karang Jahe Beach is one of the leading tourism destinations located in Rembang Regency. This area provides a great opportunity for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to develop and reach a wider market. One of the MSMEs in this area is Warung "Mbak Raisha" owned by Mrs. Inayah which has been operating since 2015. This stall is engaged in providing food and beverages for tourists. However, these MSMEs face various challenges in managing their business, including the lack of digital financial records, the lack of social media accounts as a means of digital promotion, the lack of a business logo, and the management of orders and product packaging that is not optimal. This condition causes limitations in terms of competitiveness, management efficiency, and marketing reach which has an impact on overall business growth and hinders the potential for future business development. Community service activities are carried out to help overcome these problems through strategies to strengthen branding and digital marketing. Some of the concrete steps taken are the creation of a logo as a brand identity, the installation of banners as a visual identity of the business, training on the use of social media (Instagram) as a means of promotion, the preparation of price lists, and digital financial recording using simple applications. In addition, education was also provided regarding the importance of attractive packaging to increase the selling value of products. The results of the mentoring show that Warung "Mbak Raisha" now has a stronger business identity, a more targeted promotion system, and more efficient management. This effort is expected to be able to encourage business growth and make MSMEs better prepared to face business challenges in the digital era.

As one of the oldest heritage tourism sites in Indonesia, KBS (Kebun Binatang Surabaya) faces challenges in sustaining its relevance and competing with other modern tourism offerings. The sustainability of KBS is largely influenced by the image communication strategies used to market the zoo and attract family tourists. This study aims to assess the communication strategies along with social media promotion, as well as the tourists’ experience regarding their visit. The data collection technique was field observation, digital documentation analysis, and interviews using a semi-structured format which was analyzed descriptively qualitatively. Research findings indicate that KBS has social media and stakeholder collaboration as main promo media and, education as the fundamental pull factor. Moreover, despite its strengths, KBS suffers from gaps in destination branding and lack of innovation in digital on-site experience. A competitive repositioning by building a unique identifiable brand through, integrated and comprehensive communication strategies was proposed for the use of KBS as a family-friendly competitive educational tourism site.

In exploring the important role of Candi Pari, the Mpu Tantular Museum, and Kampung Lawas Maspati as branding destinations, these sites significantly contribute to strengthening cultural identity and enhancing tourism appeal in East Java. Candi Pari, with its architectural beauty and historical value, serves not only as an attractive landmark but also as a profound symbol of cultural richness. The Mpu Tantular Museum functions as an information and educational center, housing collections of artifacts that reflect the historical journey and traditions of the local community, providing visitors with an educational experience. Kampung Lawas Maspati adds a unique dimension by offering visitors the opportunity to interact directly with the traditions and daily life of the local people. Through cultural preservation and the promotion of traditional activities, this village successfully attracts tourists seeking to experience the authenticity of Javanese culture. This article also discusses the branding strategies implemented to enhance the visibility and competitiveness of these three destinations in the tourism market. Through an integrated approach, these locations not only serve as tourist attractions but also as means to raise awareness of the importance of cultural preservation. Ultimately, this article emphasizes that developing tourist destinations based on local identity can have a positive economic impact on the community while preserving the region's rich cultural heritage

Kebun Raya Mangrove (KRM) Surabaya is the first thematic botanical garden in Indonesia that focuses specifically on the mangrove ecosystem. It serves multiple functions, including conservation, education, research, and recreation. With its ecological uniqueness, KRM has strong potential to develop into a prominent ecotourism destination. However, post-pandemic conditions have seen a significant decline in visitor numbers, indicating the urgent need for more effective and targeted marketing strategies. This study aims to identify and evaluate marketing strategies that can enhance tourist interest and increase visitation to KRM Surabaya. The research adopts a descriptive method with a qualitative approach by collecting both primary data (through observations and interviews) and secondary data, which are then analyzed thematically. The findings indicate that KRM is currently facing several critical challenges, including limited accessibility, inadequate digital promotion, and environmental maintenance issues. Existing marketing efforts—such as affordable ticket pricing, minimal promotion via the official social media accounts of the Food Security and Agriculture Service, and limited collaboration with local SMEs—have not successfully expanded KRM’s market reach or visibility. To address these gaps, the study recommends a comprehensive marketing strategy that includes the optimization of digital marketing through official KRM-managed social media channels, strategic partnerships with ecotourism influencers, the organization of thematic events (e.g., mangrove festivals), and the innovation of mangrove-based products that can boost local identity and visitor engagement. By implementing these strategies, KRM is expected to strengthen its destination branding, attract a broader audience, and establish itself as a leading model for sustainable tourism in Surabaya and beyond.

Selamanik Village, Cipaku District, Ciamis Regency, has developed various tourist village programs to increase its attractiveness as a leading destination. This research aims to analyze local wisdom-based destination branding strategies implemented through tourism programs in this village. The research method used is a qualitative approach with data collection techniques in the form of observation, interviews and documentation studies. The research results show that tourism programs such as Live-In Selamanik, Kampung Jaya Wijaya Innovation, and the potential development of sunflowers currently underway are expected to be the main elements in building the image of the village as a tourism destination based on education, culture and Agrotourism in accordance with local wisdom demonstrated. The branding strategy implemented includes the use of social media, strengthening local identity through tourism icons, and active community involvement in tourism management. Meanwhile, the competitiveness of tourist villages is increased through diversifying outdoor activities, improving facilities, and developing tourism experiences based on community participation. This research concludes that the success of the Selamanik Tourism Village branding strategy is very dependent on the synergy between the village government, community and tourists. The recommendations given include increasing digital promotions, strengthening collaboration with tourism stakeholders, as well as sustainable innovation in local wisdom-based tourism programs.

Borobudur's cultural heritage as a global tourism destination requires innovative strategies in local product development. This research examines the role of Intellectual Property (IP) in the industrial design of Upanat Sandals in increasing the competitiveness of the Borobudur National Tourism Destination (DPN) and its surroundings in the international arena. Through a normative legal research method with a descriptive-analytical approach, the study focuses on analysing industrial design regulations, IP documentation, and in-depth interviews with industry players and tourism stakeholders. Specifically, the research investigates how the Upanat Sandal industrial design can be a strategic instrument in building the identity and competitiveness of tourism destinations. The results revealed that IP protection on Upanat Sandals has the potential to create tourism product differentiation, encourage creative economy innovation, and strengthen Borobudur destination branding at the international level. The findings show that the development and protection of industrial design IP can be an effective strategy in increasing tourist attractiveness, presenting the uniqueness of local culture, and opening up new economic opportunities. However, the research also identified significant challenges, such as low public awareness of the importance of IP protection and the complexity of registration procedures that hinder the development of maximum potential.

This study aims to examine the role of green marketing and brand image in shaping the decision to stay at Ecolodge Bukit Lawang Resort. Ecolodge Bukit Lawang Resort, located in the Bukit Lawang area, North Sumatra, offers an eco-friendly tourism concept that focuses on sustainability and nature conservation. Therefore, understanding how green marketing practices and brand image can influence consumer behavior in making decisions to stay is important. This study uses a quantitative approach with a survey of 100 visitors who have stayed at Ecolodge. Data were analyzed using multiple regression methods to test the influence of green marketing (eco-friendly products, green promotions, and sustainability policies) and brand image (trust, associations, and perceived quality) on consumer decisions. The results showed that both factors had a significant influence on the decision to stay. Green marketing plays an important role in creating a positive image that influences consumer trust, while a strong brand image strengthens the decision to stay. These findings provide insight for Ecolodge Bukit Lawang Resort managers to focus more on developing green marketing strategies and strengthening brand image in order to increase the resort's appeal as an ecologically responsible tourist destination.

Lombok has long been touted as a "new Bali" tourism destination. Along with the changing times, changes in tourist trends also develop and begin to recognize various new types of tourism. Lombok has a uniqueness that is thick with Islamic nuances. Therefore, Lombok applies a type of Muslim-friendly tourism / halal tourism. Muslim-friendly tourism types have been implemented indirectly by tourism actors in Lombok. Visits to various tourism destinations in Lombok were taken as samples representing the city. With qualitative descriptive research methods, the author wants to present observations supported by exposure to documentation and interviews. The author also bases research on a theory tested in reality, especially in Lombok tourism destinations. Based on the study results, several Lombok tourism destinations still need help implementing Muslim-friendly tourism. Problems are known both from destination location factors and market segmentation factors. However, some locations have been found to have long-term development opportunities that make it possible to implement Muslim-friendly tourism as a whole through certain efforts. The fulfillment of the minimum requirements for Muslim-friendly tourism does not have a coercive nature but has the opportunity to influence tourists' interest in visiting. Therefore, the Lombok government, with Muslim-friendly tourism branding together with stakeholders, maintains and improves the quality of tourism services for the sustainability of Lombok's tourism economy.

The importance of branding, advertising and selling (BAS) for both tourist attractions and government agencies, one of which is to be able to improve the image and reputation of a tourist attraction or agency so that it can be known by the wider community. Likewise in the tourism sector, the existence of the BAS concept in addition to being able to change and improve the image of the region, advertising activities will have a great impact on the tourism sector such as being able to attract tourists, investors, be known by the public, and increase the number of tourist visits. In the context of tourism marketing, BAS strategy, especially in terms of advertising, plays a decisive role in achieving the goal, namely the accuracy of marketing promotion actions to reach the specified market segment. This can be seen, among other things, from the increase in the number of tourists who buy tourism products or visit marketed destinations. The researcher uses a qualitative descriptive approach because in accordance with the purpose of the research, namely wanting to obtain and describe in depth and thoroughly the BAS promotion strategy in terms of advertising in the development of the tourism industry in Talun District, Cirebon Regency as a tourist destination. Advertising/Advertising in tourist destinations carried out by the Talun District government through social media is very effective and efficient in saving marketing budgets. This program increases public interest in various tourist attractions that can be visited through videos containing natural beauty, tourist attractions, culinary places and information related to the calendar of activities in Talun District which is then uploaded through the website and social media Instagram, blogs, Facebook, and Youtube.

Nagari Tuo Pariangan is a tourist village in Indonesia which is one of the supporting factors and drivers of the welfare of the people who live in it and is also a solution to accelerate village development which can have a positive effect in the form of improving the quality of the environment and the preservation of the culture contained therein. The purpose of this design is to produce a Destination Branding design for Nagari Tuo Pariangan as the oldest village in Minangkabau in order to optimize awareness and visitor interaction in Nagari Tuo Pariangan. The method used in this design is the 4D method, which consists of Define, Design, Develop, and Disseminate. By using the SWOT data analysis method. This branding design will produce the main media in the form of Brand Guidline Book, and supporting media in the form of DL Envelope, letterhead, business card, landyard, id card, Brochure, Instagram feed, Infographic, Wayfinding System, Signage, Billboard, Expo Booth, banner, Merchandise, Totebag, T-shirt, and umbrella.