Developing nature tourism potency at buffer villages of Gunung Leuser National Park: case study of Bahorok Resort, Langkat Regency, North Sumatra

Abstract

Bahorok is a sub-district in the Gunung Leuser National Park (GLNP), Langkat
Regency, North Sumatra Province. Bahorok has buffer villages directly adjacent
to the national park such as Timbang Lawan Village, Batu Jongjong Village, and
Lau Damak Village. These three villages have many interesting tourist attractions,
such as natural scenery, rivers, mountains, waterfalls, caves, and wildlife. The
prominent attractions in the villages are the beautiful landscape and wildlife. This
study aims to determine the potential of natural tourism and develop a strategy for
tourism in the buffer villages of GLNP, Bahorok Resort. The methods used in this
study are observation and interview with purposive sampling. Data was analyzed
using guidelines for developing destination and SWOT analysis. The results of
this study show that the potential of tourism objects in buffer villages is feasible
to be developed, and increases business opportunities. The three villages are
feasible to be developed as new destinations. Tourism feasibility of the three
villages varies, in Timbang Lawan Village 72.75%, Batu Jongjong Village
79.88% and Lau Damak Village 73.58%. Furthermore, they have differences in
developing tourism strategies based on the specific internal and external factor.
The progressive strategy for Timbang Lawan Village (quadrant I), a changing
strategy for Lau Damak Village (quadrant III), and a diversification strategy for
Batu Jongjong Village (quadrant II). It shows how important the role of buffer
villages at Bahorok Resort in developing tourism in the future.