Strategic Planning for Tourism: The Role of S1 Leisure Management
Strategic planning is a systematic process in formulating long-term goals and strategic steps to achieve them, by considering potentials, challenges, as well as internal and external environmental dynamics. Amid the ever-changing global dynamics, the tourism industry sector plays an important role in boosting economic growth while preserving the cultural richness of local regions. One of the key factors that determine the success of this sector is the strategic planning of tourist destinations, which now increasingly requires the contribution of graduates from the Bachelor’s Program in Recreation Business Management. This program adopts a comprehensive approach in managing the elements of tourism business, ranging from product creation to promotional strategies and destination governance oriented toward sustainability.
Strategic Planning of Tourist Destinations
In the tourism sector, strategic planning is a long-term process that includes identifying tourism potential, creating attractions, managing resources, and implementing policies to create competitive and sustainable destinations.
Several key elements in this process include:
- Market research and tourism trends, including preferences of domestic and international tourists.
- Comprehensive management of tourist destinations, covering environmental, cultural, and local community involvement aspects.
- Recreation business planning as an integral part of local economic development.
- Utilization of digital technology and the metaverse in shaping promotion and interactive tourism experiences.
Through this method, tourist destinations develop not only as travel targets, but also as spaces that offer authentic and meaningful experiences.
Why Strategic Planning Is Important in Destination Development
Strategic planning is not merely short-term planning, but a foundation to present destinations that are adaptive to trends, able to meet future challenges, and highly competitive on a global scale.
The main benefits of strategic planning include:
- Adapting to tourism trends, including ecotourism and culture-based tourism.
- Optimizing tourist experiences by improving supporting facilities and infrastructure.
- Promoting the advancement of local tourism businesses, including MSMEs and the entertainment and recreation industries.
- Ensuring social and environmental sustainability, in line with sustainable tourism business principles.
Graduates of the S1 Leisure Management are prepared with the ability to create long-term plans, analyze markets, and integrate sustainability values into destination development.
Innovative Strategies to Increase Tourism Destination Competitiveness
To survive in the digital era, strategies are needed that are not only creative but also relevant to current demands. Recreation business management graduates play a key role in creating innovative and flexible solutions.
Several strategies that can be implemented include:
- Use of the metaverse: Offering virtual destination simulations before physical visits, while also reaching tourists across geographical boundaries.
- Development of large-scale events and festivals: Increasing tourism interest through arts, cultural, sports, or culinary events managed professionally.
- Tourism market segmentation: Developing marketing strategies targeted to specific groups such as families, youth, seniors, and tourists with special interests.
- Application of ecotourism and cultural tourism concepts: Providing added educational and personal value for visitors.
Through this approach, destinations can offer recreation that is both enjoyable and meaningful.
Building Tourist Attractions: The Key to Success from a S1 Leisure Management
The involvement of Leisure Management graduates plays a major role in presenting attractive and competitive tourist destinations. This study program equips students with fundamental understanding of:
- The concept of recreation as a basic human need to refresh body and mind.
- The benefits of recreation for society: improving mental health, strengthening social ties, and increasing work efficiency.
- Recreational purposes beyond entertainment, including as a means of education, cultural preservation, and improving community welfare.
The competencies of graduates from the Bachelor’s in Recreation Business Management include:
- Destination management based on research and data.
- Tourism marketing strategies responsive to market dynamics.
- Event and festival management with a professional approach.
- Recreation business planning that considers economic and social aspects.
- Entertainment and recreation industry management for various types of audiences.
With a practice-based curriculum, students also gain field experience through case studies, internships, and social activities.
Career Opportunities in the Recreation Sector
Graduates of the Leisure Management have broad career opportunities in the tourism industry, including:
- Tourist destination manager
- Tourism planning consultant
- Professional event organizer
- Theme park and recreation area manager
- Digital marketing specialist in tourism
- Metaverse content developer for tourism promotion
As digitalization trends, tourism service personalization, and sustainability focus continue to grow, career opportunities in this sector are projected to increase.
Conclusion
Strategic planning of tourist destinations is a fundamental foundation for tourism business development and increasing global competitiveness. The role of graduates from the Leisure Management is crucial in delivering innovative, inclusive, and sustainability-oriented solutions.
With a deep understanding that recreation is a basic human need and mastery of technologies such as the metaverse, graduates of this program are capable of making real contributions to the tourism industry.
In the future, the complexity of challenges in the tourism industry will continue to grow. Therefore, the role of higher education institutions.
Campus Address and Contact
Campus Address: Jl. Telekomunikasi No. 1, Bojongsoang, Bandung
Website: https://blm.telkomuniversity.ac.id/
Email: [email protected]
Tags: S1 Leisure Management | Leisure Management | S1 Leisure Management Telkom University
