North Sumatra Province has the Tangkahan Nature Tourism Area, which represents ecotourism managed by local communities, established in 2001, which has now become the leading tourism destination of North Sumatra both locally and internationally. Tangkahan ecotourism is an example of payment for environmental services for the Tangkahan community, which initially carried out illegal logging in the mount Leuseur national park and then agreed to preserve the national park through ecotourism. This study aims to analyze the economic value of tourism and the preferences of tourists to revisit, along with the factors that influence them, where these conditions can be an illustration of the sustainability of Tangkahan ecotourism. The travel cost method is used to calculate the economic value of Tangkahan Ecotourism environmental services. The factors that affect the economic value, intensity of visits, and interest in revisiting, were analyzed using multiple linear regression. The results showed that Tangkahan ecotourism has a relatively high economic value, supported by the intensity and interest of tourist visits. Factors that affect the economic value and preferences of tourist visits can be managed for the sustainability of Tangkahan ecotourism so as not to lose the economic value of the ecotourism environmental services.

This paper aimed to provide a narrative review of the current conditions of orangutan ecotourism on Sumatra Island, problems in the current management systems, and some recommendations for further development. Orangutan conservation centers have been developed on Sumatra Island since 1973. The Bukit Lawang Conservation Station is one of the orangutan conservation centers that have practiced ecotourism to overcome ecological and socio-economic issues. Even though the Bukit Lawang Conservation Station has operated for decades, this station has faced several issues, in particular a monetary crisis in 1997, a flash flood in 2003, and the COVID-19 pandemic. We identified that orangutan conservation centers on Sumatra Island have the potential to support orangutan ecotourism. These conservation centers have ecological support, available facilities, and rich local wisdom that can provide added value for orangutan ecotourism. Therefore, we propose that the development of orangutan ecotourism on Sumatra Island should accommodate surrounding communities through community-based wildlife ecotourism. We also recommend the following strategies to develop orangutan ecotourism on Sumatra Island: (1) mapping the location and distribution of wild orangutans in their natural habitats; (2) managing captive and semi-captive orangutans in conservation centers; (3) provision of tour packages; (4) community empowerment; (5) institutional strengthening of community-based ecotourism management (CBEM); (6) developing ecotourism through a benefit-sharing model; (7) anticipating and minimizing the negative impacts of ecotourism on orangutans; and (8) integrating orangutan tourism with local wisdom.

Background: The tourism sector is a catalyst for the economic advancement of an area. To enhance sustainable tourism, it is important to address the requisite infrastructure and facilities in the area. Tourist destination must possess compelling attraction that captivates visitors, promoting increased expenditures and this phenomenon propels local economic growth. Therefore, this research aimed to analyze the role of the Medan-Berastagi-Merek road infrastructure in moderating the influence of tourism development in Lake Toba National Tourism Strategic Area (KSPN), Indonesia. Method: The measurement of variables and sub-variables was discussed and analyzed using an explanatory approach and Structural Equation Models. Results: The results showed that tourism development did not impose a direct and significant influence on regional development. However, a positive impact was manifested on regional progress when mediated by the development of road infrastructure. The policy implications showed the significance of road infrastructure development in Lake Toba KSPN. This was not a supportive element but rather an essential factor that indicated prioritization by the Indonesian government and local administrations. Conclusion: Various aspects of road infrastructure, including road quality, ease of mobility, connectivity, minimal obstacles, security/safety, accessibility, and timeliness, were developed as crucial factors influencing economic players in the tourism sector. Recognizing these facets had substantial policy implications, showing the importance of prioritizing road infrastructure development in the holistic progress of Lake Toba KSPN.

Objective: This study aims to see how the influence of sustainable tourism's social and economic aspects on the community’s welfare in the regencies around the Lake Toba Region - North Sumatra. Method: This research was carried out from July 2021 to December 2021. A total of 8 districts around Lake Toba were observed in this study. The sample in this study was 240 people who were taken using cluster sampling, consisting of the community, entrepreneurs, policymakers, academics, and stakeholders. Result: The results of the multiple regression analysis using SPSS obtained the value of Fcount (4110.509) >Ftable (3.03), the sig value of 0.00, which means that simultaneously the social and economic aspects of sustainable tourism have a significant influence on the social welfare of the people of Lake Toba. The value of the R square obtained is 0.972. Conclusion: The social and economic aspects of sustainable tourism influence 97.2% of the social welfare of the local Lake Toba community. Partially, the social aspect influences 71% of the community’s welfare, and the economic factor affects 94.7% of the community’s welfare.

Participatory regional development planning through Musrenbang, an essential process for formulating development priorities, requires improvement. Using a comprehensive SWOT analysis framework, this research has provided crucial insights into the current state of participatory planning through the sub-district Musrenbang in Pematangsiantar City. Methodologically, the research involved identifying participants, conducting focus group discussions, and gathering data through in-depth stakeholder interviews. The findings indicate that while the Musrenbang implementation is moderately effective, there are notable internal areas for improvement, particularly in stakeholder coordination. However, the study also identifies opportunities for improvement through enhanced participation and collaboration. The study concludes that integrating aggressive, competitive, and adaptive strategies into the participatory planning model can significantly enhance the effectiveness of Musrenbang, ultimately contributing to sustainable development and improved local governance. This research contributes to the broader discourse on participatory planning theory, offering valuable insights and recommendations for policymakers in regional development. The study's limitation involved a relatively small number of respondents, which may not adequately represent the diverse range of stakeholders involved in the Musrenbang process. Furthermore, this study is location-specific, focusing on the city's unique characteristics. As a result, the findings can only be extended to other regions with comparable features. However, the potential for future studies to integrate SWOT analysis with other methods offers hope for a comprehension and effective strategy development in participatory planning.