The Community Economic Activity in the Use of Cultural Tourism as a Tourist Attraction in North Sumatra

Abstract

Indonesia as a country with a diversity of tribes that reach 300 ethnic groups, makes Indonesia rich in a variety of cultures derived from customs, ways of life, arts, and historical relics at a certain time. North Sumatra, which has 11 (eleven) ethnicities or tribes, is a cultural resource that has the potential to be developed into tourist attractions ranging from the uniqueness of traditional houses, traditional arts, cultural heritage sites, and traditional specialties. This study aims to analyze the economic activities of the community and analyze the needs of tourist services for tourism businesses in the use of cultural tourism as a tourist attraction in North Sumatra, in various fields of tourism business. The research location is in cultural attractions in 5 (five) regencies in North Sumatra, namely: Langkat, Batubara, Padang Lawas Utara, Karo, and Humbang Hasundutan, from August to November 2021. Data collection was carried out by conducting observations, document studies, interviews and dissemination of questionnaires. The data is analyzed using domain analysis and taxonomic analysis. This study concluded that the economic activities of the community with the use of cultural tourism as a tourist attraction in North Sumatra are very diverse even though they have not grown and developed in each cultural tourist attraction. Likewise, the needs of tourist services for tourism businesses in the location of cultural attractions are very diverse, both types and levels of needs, and can grow and develop people's economic activities. Keywords: Community, Cultural Tourism, Economic Activity, North Sumatra