Traditional Gastronomy as Marine Tourism Attraction in East Nusa Tenggara Province (Studies Region City Kupang and Labuan Bajo Regency West Manggarai )

Abstract

According to a global report on food tourism, tourists have a strong preference for local products, especially food. In Indonesia, many people are engaged in the culinary business. which supports the development of gastronomic tourism attractions in the country. East Nusa Tenggara Province has a variety of marine tourism attractions. However, the attraction of local food is equally compelling. The city of Kupang as the capital of East Nusa Tenggara has the highest level of visiting tourists in East Nusa Tenggara and is second is West Manggarai which is renowned for Labuan Bajo. This study aims to explore how to develop traditional gastronomy as a marine tourism attraction in East Nusa Tenggara. By distributing the pre-survey to 100 informants, it can help researchers to find out what obstacles tourists face when enjoying local food in East Nusa Tenggara as well as what tourists expect in the future. To increase the popularity of gastronomic tourism in Indonesia and abroad, researchers designed a traditional gastronomy-based tour package in East Nusa Tenggara specifically for of Kupang and Labuan Bajo. It is expected that after traditional gastronomy in East Nusa Tenggara is widely known, will positively impact the nine stakeholders (Nona Helix) encouraging them to provide the best services for tourists visiting East Nusa Tenggara.