Developing a Strategic Model for Halal Tourism in Aceh

The research aims to discuss the role of Bank Aceh's digital transformation in developing halal tourism in Aceh Province. The concept of tourism development that remains in synergy with the cultural values of the Acehnese people who are thick with Islamic values. The people of Aceh have a strong commitment to implementing Islamic law in a kaffah manner and in all activities of life. Bank Aceh's digital transformation is very important to support the development of halal tourism in Aceh Province. Bank Aceh must consider three main factors in carrying out digital transformation as a means of supporting the development of halal tourism. First, halal tourism is developed based on the values of Islamic law, national law and qanun (regional regulations). Second, the importance of halal certification in all types of services. Third, the active involvement of PT Bank Aceh in the feasibility study of capital and MSMEs assistance in managing tourist attractions, tourism marketing, tourism industry, and institutional development. These three factors need to be fully supported by integrative government and financial industry policies. This research is expected to contribute to the development of knowledge about the role of digital transformation of PT Bank Aceh in developing halal tourism in Aceh Province.

The objectives of this study are first, to find out the potential for halal tourism in Aceh; second, knowing what efforts have been made by the Aceh government and related parties in the development of halal tourism; and third knowing the strategy that should be done in marketing halal tourism in Aceh. This study used qualitative research methods. The data analysis technique consists of three steps, namely data reduction, data presentation and drawing conclusions. The results show that the potential for halal tourism is not only tourist destinations, but also cultural uniqueness, natural charm, culinary and community friendliness. Efforts in the development of halal tourism are carried out by involving the private sector and the government in an energetic manner in the context of developing halal tourism in Aceh. The strategy carried out in marketing halal tourism in Aceh with 3 programs, namely: a. Marketing concept based on destination, origin, time; b. The promotion strategy is in branding, advertising, and selling; and c. Media strategy, through endorsers, social media, as well as general media. Dissemination of information is very important so that the promotion reaches the goal. This strategy is also usually carried out at the same time as the sales period in various regions and countries of the promotion. When the government participates in halal tourism exhibitions abroad.

<p>This study aims at describing potentials of halal tourism destination in Aceh by analyzing readiness of tourism destination through perceptions of tourism travel agents and tourists in developing halal tourism in Aceh. This study also produces right strategies to develop halal tourism by tourist destination characteristics. The data and information collection is done through FGD (Focus Group Discussion), in-depth interview and distribution of questionnaire to 327 tourists in Aceh. Based on the result of the study, Aceh is quite optimal in launching halal tourism as its tourism product yet there should be more improvements and strategies for increasing tourist attraction. The result of this study is expected to help the government of Aceh and tourism travel agents in increasing halal tourism potentials and setting strategies in developing halal tourism potentials so they could attract tourists to have halal tourism in Aceh or visit Aceh.</p>

Halal tourism development requires readiness in various factors such as access, communication, environment, and services. The research was carried out in three district Aceh Province, namely in Banda Aceh City, Aceh Besar District, and Sabang City as tourism base areas. This research sample as many as 50 hotel business actors, 50 culinary delights, and 26 tourist objects, a total of 126 tourism business actors. Data analysis uses Binner Logit Regression, to determine the opportunities for tourism actors ready and not ready for halal tourism in the development of halal tourism in Aceh Province. The results showed that Accessibility, Communication, and Services had a positive effect on halal tourism development, while environmental factors do not affect the development of halal tourism in Aceh Province. Of all the factors, only services in tourism have high readiness and opportunities in influencing the development of halal tourism in Aceh Province.

This article aims to explain the concept of halal tourism in Aceh by using the concept of Developing of Halal Tourism. This study uses a literature study approach (library research) with data collection techniques sourced from relevant documents, books, articles, magazines, news, journals. The results of this study indicate that there are three criteria regarding the conception of halal tourism, namely (1) history, in tourism in Aceh in the form of records of historical places that can be seen when visiting the place. (2) culture, in halal tourism in Aceh, raises the roots culture in Aceh, for example the Seudati dance at the airport as a welcome to visiting tourists, (3) Islamic, which consists of facilities and infrastructure, culinary and service provision. The facilities and infrastructure in question are in the form of a Sharia hotel, a friendly place for every visitor. And finally, there is a strong collaboration between the government, the community and related stakeholders in carrying out the conception of halal tourism in Aceh.

This present study aims to identify the determinants of tourists’ intention towards halal tourism in Aceh Province. The population of this study was the tourists visiting Aceh Province in 2019 based on the data from the Central Bureau of statistics. The study used a quantitative research method, employing a purposive questionnaire to 300 local tourists and foreign tourists. The study analyzed the data using multiple linear regression with independent variables consisting of perceptions about access, communication, environment, and service. Overall, the study found that the perceptual attributes of access, communication, environment, and service were able to determine the tourists’ intention towards halal tourism in Aceh. The two most dominant determinants in shaping and encouraging increased intention in halal tourism were the Islamic environment and service for halal tourism. The study recommends the importance of adopting the Islamicenvironmental ecosystem and service as a market strategy for halal tourism destinations in Aceh Province.

Halal tourism in Aceh holds great potential in supporting economic growth, enhancing community welfare, and preserving Sharia values within the tourism industry. Through the implementation of Aceh Qanun No. 8 of 2013 on Tourism, the government has made efforts to develop infrastructure, services, and policies that support halal tourism. This study analyzes the implementation of halal tourism in Aceh, the challenges faced, and optimization strategies that can be applied to strengthen the competitiveness of this tourism destination. The findings indicate that although Aceh has various advantages such as supporting infrastructure, a strong Islamic cultural identity, and proactive government policies, challenges still exist in global promotion, the availability of internationally standardized halal tourism facilities, and perceptions of non-Muslim tourists. Therefore, a strategic approach is required, including improving infrastructure quality, digital-based tourism promotion, collaboration with the global tourism industry, and strengthening human resource capacity in this sector. With these strategic measures, Aceh can further solidify its position as a leading halal tourism destination that is not only economically beneficial but also contributes to the broader welfare of society.

The research aims to discuss the concept of halal tourism based on local wisdom in Aceh Province. The concept of tourism development that remains in synergy with the cultural values of the Acehnese people who are thick with Islamic values. The people of Aceh have a strong commitment to implement Islamic law in a kaffah manner and in all activities of life. Tourism development should not undermine the implementation of Islamic Sharia in Aceh province. This research uses a literature review approach that gathers information from various studies. This research shows that the concept of halal tourism developed in Aceh province should consider three key factors. First, halal tourism must be developed based on the values of Islamic law, based on national law and qanun (regional regulations). Second, the importance of halal certification in hospitality services. Third, halal tourism management is also expected to focus on tourism objects, tourism marketing, tourism industry and institutional development based on SWOT analysis. These three factors need to be fully supported by government policies and the Islamic finance industry. This research is expected to contribute to the development of a local wisdom-based halal tourism industry that is capable of improving the welfare of the community.

The development of halal tourism requires readiness in various factors such as access, communication, environment, and services. The research was carried out in three district Aceh Province, namely in Banda Aceh City, Aceh Besar District, and Sabang City as tourism base areas. This research sample as many as 50 hotel business actors, 50 culinary delights, and 26 tourist objects, a total of 126 tourism business actors. Data analysis uses Binner Logit Regression, to determine the opportunities for tourism actors who are ready and not ready for halal tourism in the development of halal tourism in Aceh Province. The results showed that Accessibility, Communication, and Services had a positive effect on the development of halal tourism, while environmental factors do not affect the development of halal tourism in Aceh Province. Of all the factors, only services in tourism have high readiness and opportunities in influencing the development of halal tourism in Aceh Province.

Halal tourism is an alternative in increasing the economy. Aceh is an area that has natural and cultural potential in the development of halal tourism. This study aims to analyze the potential and challenges of developing halal tourism in Aceh. Secondary data is used as the basis for obtaining qualitatively analyzed information. The results of the study indicate that there are several opportunities for developing halal tourism such as the majority of Acehnese are Muslim, the application of Islamic law, natural beauty and panoramas, interesting culture and history. In addition to opportunities, there are also challenges in the development of halal tourism, such as the lack of public understanding of the concept of halal awareness, geographical factors, demographic factors, factors of concern and seriousness from the government and the private sector, and infrastructure factors.

Halal tourism is a tourism that in its implementation fulfill the provisions of Islamic law. In the implementation of halal tourism, a special regulation is needed so that the implementation can be guaranteed as expected. The purpose of this research was to examine the substance of Qanun Aceh Number 8 of 2013 concerning Tourism, whether it contains elements of halal tourism or not and how far the regulation is. Then, it will be reviewed the concept of halal tourism regulation that are ideally applied in Aceh Province. The research method used is normative juridical research method. The results showed that explicitly there is no term halal tourism in Qanun Aceh Number 8 of 2013 concerning Tourism, but in substance there are some provisions that contain the values of halal tourism, among others the function of tourism, the direction of research and development of tourism in Aceh, tourism business, values that must be considered in the business of objects and tourist attractions, obligations of tourism object businesses , obligations of star hotel managers, provisions for restaurant managers, restrictions on tourist attractions, and provisions that must be met for foreign tourists. However, the existing provisions have not been able to accommodate the implementation of halal tourism optimally. The ideal concept of halal tourism regulation should contain in detail the basic elements and objectives of halal tourism implementation, classification of halal tourism destinations, standards of each type of halal tourism destination, halal tourism certification, promotion and marketing, supervision, and sanctions. It is recommended to establish special legislation on halal tourism in Aceh either in the form of other qanun or in the form of governor regulation, the purpose of which is to become guidelines and reference of halal tourism standards in all regions in Aceh Province, so that the implementation of halal tourism can be carried out opptimally.

<p>Aceh is the only province in Indonesia legally allowed to implement sharia law across all sectors, including the tourism industry. This study aims to analyze factors influencing Muslim-Friendly Tourism (MFT) in Aceh. Specifically, it examines the direct and indirect relationship between MFT with travel intention, destination image, and tourist attitude. Data is gathered through a questionnaire survey among 150 respondents that were selected using the convenience sampling method. To explain the tourist’s travel intentions, this study develops and tests a multiple regression analysis using the extended hierarchical linear modeling. Seven hypotheses were proposed regarding the relationships between MFT, tourist attitude, destination image, and travel intention constructs. The empirical results from the structural model suggest that MFT, destination image, and tourist attitude significantly influence travel intention; destination image and tourist attitude are the perfect mediators in influencing the MFT on travel intention to Aceh. These results have the implication in improving the promotions of tourism destinations in Aceh and developing more effective halal tourism positioning strategies for Aceh in particular and Indonesia in general.</p>

Syariah Tourism is growing rapidly due to the high expenditure of the global Muslim market for the tourism sector which leads to the lifestyle and the typical needs of Muslims to be a very important thing to be presented in every tourism service. Aceh as one of the provinces in Indonesia which is known by the implementation of Sharia’ is one of the priority areas of Syariah Tourism development. However, what and how the halal tourism is is not widely known yet, so that some potencies and resources of halal tourism in Aceh, especially Banda Aceh has not been well developed. This study aims to determine the public perception about Syariah tourism as well as to know what are the potencies and challenges in the development of Syariah Tourism in Aceh. This research uses the qualitative method with interview and observation. The results show that Syariah tourism is not only understood as a great opportunity for Aceh tourism, but it is also an obligation in Islam and the culture of Acehnese, so it must be implemented in every tourism development in Aceh. Potencies of Syariah Tourism in Aceh is the cultural values of society that is based on Islamic values, Aceh Islamic heritage with religiosity atmosphere, and then tsunami heritage that presents spiritual value to tourists. However, these potencies are also challenging because the belief and stigma that Aceh is majority of Islam, so that all things are 100% halal, so as in terms of hygiene, and service at tourist attractions are still needserious attention
 Keywords: Syariah Tourism, Aceh, Perception , Potencies, Challenges

This study aims to identify market segments and appropriate target markets for halal tourism in Aceh Province. The research method used is quantitative with data collection through questionnaires. The study findings show that Aceh Province has great potential as an attractive halal tourism destination, with the majority of respondents willing to pay more for high-quality halal tour packages. The study also identified different market segments with specific needs and preferences, which can help tourism industry players to develop targeted marketing strategies and products that meet the diverse needs of halal tourists. Suggested recommendations include development and promotion, provision of high-quality tour packages, increased awareness and visitation, targeted product development, provision of affordable travel options, and improved facilities and services. These recommendations are expected to help tourism industry players in Aceh Province to optimize the potential of halal tourism and increase Aceh’s attractiveness as a global tourism destination.

Mosque is place of worship as well as religious symbols that have religious and social aspects. The aspects can be used as places of worship, while social aspects are referred to as places of community activity, places of learning, cultural development, art of building, even in times of war for Acehnese fighters. But in the current era of globalization, mosques are no longer a place of worship, but also a tourist destination for both Muslims and non-Muslims. There are three the main halal tourism destinations Indonesia, they are West Sumatra, West Nusa Tenggara and Aceh Province . The addition of material directly is very important, especially in terms of control and physical appearance of the mosque. The Baiturrahman Mosque in Banda Aceh is one of them, since 2015 major improvements have been made enough to restore the face of the historic mosque.
 This study is a case study that tries to explore the in-depth perspective of several informants regarding sustainable tourism, focusing on mosques as halal tourism attractions. Data collection techniques used are observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation. This research is expected to be able to find out (a) the attraction of Baiturrahman Great Mosque (b) to explore the deep perspectives of stakeholders regarding sustainable tourism, in this case concerning the Baiturrahman Mosque as the main attraction of Halal tourism in Banda Aceh. The results of this could be as input and consideration for the development of halal tourism, especially the development of tourism in other mosques in Aceh Province and Indonesia.
 Keywords: Stakeholders, Attraction, Halal Tourism, Sustainable Tourism