Herbal Tourism Revitalization Efforts after Pandemic

Abstract

Abstract. Herbal medicine is a mainstay of rural areas, especially around the Menoreh mountains, Kulonprogo. ‘Rumah Jamu Menoreh’ is a tourist attraction and herbal medicine production place that was established in 2015 in Kemiriombo, Gerbosari, Samigaluh, Kulon Progo. For approximately 7 years, Rumah Jamu has produced a variety of products, including wedang uwuh, instant turmeric acid, ginger syrup, coconut oil, coconut vinegar, secang syrup, ganyong flour, and instant red ginger. During the last pandemic, this herbal house was also affected. For about 2 years it experienced sluggishness, decreased turnover and no tourist visits. This condition made ‘Rumah Jamu Menoreh’ even worse. The owner of the herbal house feels that he has not been able to rise up in the face of these rapid changes. Problems that can be identified include: 1) Lack of understanding of the pandemic that has an impact on tourism, 2) Lack of ability of partners to create new products as a form of innovation, and 3) Online marketing already exists but has not been fully implemented. From the problems that were identified, this community service program carried out various activities to solve these problems. The activities that have been carried out include 1) training on the management of diversification and variation of herbal products, 2) assisting the procurement of equipment to support quality products, 3) optimizing digital-based promotional media and social media, and 4) providing management assistance to be able to market products more expansively and create a wider marketing network. The result of this community service program is that partners have understood that the pandemic has a serious impact on tourism, especially herbal tourism. Partners are able to diversify in the form of other small foods and are able to market using digital devices. In addition, with management assistance, it can rise again to sell its products.