Integrating the Pasuruan Bromo-Tengger-Semeru Area Through Sustainable Tourism: A Note in Manifesting Local Economic Resilient

Abstract

The covid-19 pandemic hits the tourism sector by limiting economic mobility, making local business suffer. The case is also genuine in The Pasuruan Bromo-Tengger Semeru Area Indonesia, however as the Prioritized Tourism Destination, it also holds an opportunity to manifest business resilience by integrating the locals with thematic tourism. Therefore, this research has two objectives: 1) Identify the opportunity for implementing sustainable tourism concept; and 2) Create a Sustainable Tourism model for The Pasuruan Bromo-Tengger-Semeru. Through group discussion with government representatives, local businesses, and communities, we found that 2 districts (Tosari and Tutur) appear to be agro-tourism and culture-based tourism leaders. Even Though it is attractive, unfair competition among tourism businesses still clouds collaboration due to high individualism among local tourism businesses. In light of this situation, we suggest Pasuruan Tourism Board as a legal entity to enable professional management that led to greater local participation of tourism actors. As local tourism is based on community initiative, this research may be used as the development consideration to build the family business in The Pasuruan Bromo-Tengger-Semeru to improve social welfare as the local economic resilient manifestation.