Development Tourism Based of Coffe as a Strategy for Improving the Local Economy in North Sumatera Province Overview: Potential and Constrain

Abstract

North Sumatra has great potential in developing coffee-based tourism, considering the wealth of natural, cultural and historical resources related to coffee. The development of coffee-based tourism has become a potential strategy to encourage local economic development, especially in North Sumatra Province. This research aims to analyze the potential, obstacles and strategies for developing coffee-based tourism as an effort to empower the local economy in the region. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, data was obtained through in depth interviews, questionnaires and documentation involving coffee business actors, coffee farmers and local governments. Analysis was carried out using the SWOT method to identify strategic positions and optimal development steps. The research results show that North Sumatra has main strengths in the form of superior coffee quality and interesting local cultural heritage, as well as opportunities in the form of increasing tourist interest in experience-based tourism and government policy support. However, this research also identified obstacles such as lack of infrastructure, limited promotion, and low public awareness of the potential of coffee tourism. Based on the SWOT analysis, the recommended strategy is to strengthen collaboration between the government, farmers and tourism actors to improve promotion, infrastructure and diversification of coffee-based tourism products.