Sustainable Tourism Management Implementation in Merek District, Indonesia

Abstract

Tourism in Indonesia contributes to the economic growth and well-being of local communities. However, ensuring tourism sustainability is a primary challenge. This study aims to develop a sustainable management framework within the context of tourism in Merek District, North Sumatra, which has tourism potential but is declining in visitors due to pollution in Lake Toba. The research applies a mixed-methods approach to evaluate three tourist destinations: Tongging, Sipiso-piso, and Sapo Juma. The evaluation results indicate that sustainable management in Merek District is inadequate. This study highlights the importance of sustainable tourism management to promote local economic growth and achieve sustainability.