Cultural Tourism in Cirebon: A Story of Preserving Cultural Heritage and Support Small-Medium Enterprises, Especially Cultural Entrepreneurs

Abstract

Cirebon is only a distance away from Jakarta, Indonesia, a city which full of culture and offer a wide range of attractions. The city of Cirebon is a tourist destination that has a historical value and a variety of culinary tour. The tourism industry in Cirebon would be contented on knowledge of local culture. This city could be enjoyed by the tourists both local and international. The series of tourism activities in Cirebon, such as visiting batik centre, culinary places, cultural places will affect to the economic, social and tourism industries. Local government revenue will also be impacted by rising of tourism activities. This paper focus on batik Cirebon trade center, Trusmi. Trusmi is an area that becoming one of signature in Cirebon tourism industry. This paper is using Quantitative Methodology and a simple comparison analysis based on secondary data from Ministry of Trade, ministry of industry, Pemda Jawa Barat, Pemda Kota Cirebon and BPS (Biro Pusat Statistic - Statistic for Indonesia). Trusmi is not only a center of trading place but as well as social economic contributor to local economy development as well to government and local economy. This paper describe on how cultural tourism has a significant impact on local economy development in Cirebon. This paper also gives an overview of cultural tourism especially at batik trade center, Trusmi that significantly impact to economic activity, especially in the city of Cirebon. In the other side, cultural entreupreneurship also support local economy and the absorptions of local workers and in the end, it describe that tourism industry gives significant impact to Cirebon economy development.